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Congress apprehensive of Naxalite threat

From Shireen in Hyderabad

The Congress has sought adequate police protection for its leaders visiting various districts, especially the Naxalite-affected areas in Telangana. These leaders will be campaigning for the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha and state assembly in September/October this year.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, in a letter to the director general of police, said the party leaders would be undertaking extensive tours of the districts till elections are over. "Most of the Telangana districts are Naxalite-infested and the extremists have been indulging in unprovoked violence, often killing innocent people. Obviously, they are indulging in such brutal violence to demonstrate their existence even though they may not have personal animosity with the victims," he said.

Dr Rajasekhar Reddy said that Warangal District Congress Committee general secretary T Devender Reddy was killed by Naxalites on March 1. Former speaker of the state assembly D Sripada Rao was also brutally done to death by Naxalites in Karimnagar district on April 13. "It is imperative that suitable and adequate protection is given to the state Congress leaders, DCC presidents, office-bearers of the APCC and the DCCs and other prominent leaders without their asking for the same. Such security, we understand, has already been provided to the Telugu Desam party functionaries," the APCC chief said.

Dr Rajasekhar Reddy urged the DGP to issue instructions to the superintendents of police in the districts to provide suitable and adequate security to Congress leaders.

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