Chandrababu Naidu writes to DGP over notices to TDP leaders

Amaravati: TDP chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday termed issuing of notices to TDP leaders from taking part in protests to mark the one year completion of the Amaravati agitation on December 17 as a violation of fundamental rights on the part of the state police.

He urged the director general of police (DGP) to protect the rights of the citizens and the Opposition leaders to express their dissenting voices. The police notices were in total violation of Article 19(1)(A), 19(1)(B) and 19 (1)(D) of the Constitution that provided freedom of speech and peaceful assembly of people.

In a letter to the DGP here, the TDP chief reminded the police chief of how even under the British rule, peaceful protests were permitted and that the Indian freedom fighters used those rights to achieve independence for the country. Instead of using all energy to suppress the democratic protests of the people, the DGP should give some focus to maintenance of the law and order in the State. Unlawful notices were given to over 600 TDP leaders and activists.

Naidu asserted that ever since the YSRCP came to power, the fundamental rights were being denied and suppression became the order of the day. The law and order had badly deteriorated over the months. Some sections of the police were solely focusing on suppression of rights rather than prevention of crimes and atrocities. They were forgetting the fact that protest and dissent were the hallmarks of a vibrant democracy.

The Leader of Opposition in Assembly told the DGP that a government which came to power through a democratic process of election was now attacking those democratic foundations. Some police officials were colluding with the YSRCP leaders to stifle the voices of the people.

The TDP chief said that it was the bounden duty of the police as per the Constitution to safeguard the fundamental rights that were assured to the people in letter and spirit.