TDP writes letter to NHRC on ‘illegal’ arrests of its leaders

In the letter dated September 3, TDP politburo member Varla Ramaiah said the ruling YSRCP was using the pandemic as an excuse to illegally detain and arrest TDP leaders and cadre.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) wrote a letter to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman, urging him to conduct an inquiry into the allegedly illegal arrests, unlawful detentions and house arrests in the State. The TDP sought appropriate action against those responsible for registering these cases, which it claimed were callous. In the letter dated September 3, TDP politburo member Varla Ramaiah said the party had organised State-wide protests on August 28 against the steep increase in petrol and diesel prices in Andhra Pradesh. The protests were held in a peaceful manner following COVID-19 protocol, to exert pressure on the State government to reduce fuel price, the letter said. “In this backdrop, the ruling party has unleashed the police force and accordingly, TDP leaders, cadre and the general public were arrested, and others were placed under house arrest,” he alleged in the letter.