DGP files counter affidavit before High Court
Hyderabad, August 1, 2007The Director General of Police (DGP), MA Basith in the counter filed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court claimed that the police had to open fire after all efforts to pacify the agitators failed at Mudigonda. In his eight page counter affidavit, the DGP explained that on the day of the bandh, the Mudigonda Sub Inspector requested the Tahasildar to promulgate prohibitory orders under section 144 of Cr PC as the CPM leaders and workers were in a aggressive mood.
In his report, it reported that a mob led by Bandi Ramesh, a former Naxalite and a rowdy sheeter blocked the road resulting in two kilometers long jam. When the police tried to resort out matters, the agitators heckled them. On being informed, Khammam rural Inspector Venkat Reddy reached the spot. After studying the situation prevailing there, he informed the situation to higher authorities and additional police force were sent to the area and and later on the directions of the SP and ASP rushed to the spot.
He further stated that when the public address system was switched off, the brickbats rained down hard, forcing the police to take cover. Despite repeated requests to mob continued to hurl stones forcing the Circle Inspector to order lathicharge. As it is ineffective, and the crowed damaged the vehicles of the ASP and CI. He added that the Circle Inspector fired in the air from his .9mm pistol warning agitators. When thee was no let up in brick batting, there was no option for the police to open fire. He further said that the police resorted to firing as a last resort after exhausting all available means.
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