The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : MRPS `assured' of protection for `padayatra'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 05, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

MRPS `assured' of protection for `padayatra'

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD : The Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) has said the Government agreed to give permission and protection for the `padayatra' being launched by its leaders from Amalapuram in East Godavari district on April 5. The `padayatra' is being organised to press the samithi's demand for categorisation of SCs.

Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and DGP Swaranjit Sen gave the assurance to a delegation of MRPS leaders on Tuesday, Manda Krishna Madiga, founder-president, told reporters later.

The delegation in a representation brought to Mr. Reddy's notice the Mala Mahanadu's planned obstruction of the `padayatra'.

Mr. Krishna said MRPS activists would not retaliate if attacked. "We will maintain restraint", he added, appealing to Mala Mahanadu leaders to avert a volatile situation as they were "like brothers".

However, he maintained that Animal Husbandry Minister G. Surya Rao, the Home Minister and the DGP would be responsible if there was any attack.

The `padayatra' would cover 1,300 km across ten districts before reaching Hyderabad on May 14, when the Congress Government completes two years in office. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy should decide whether he wants MRPS appreciation or protests during the two-year celebrations, Mr. Krishna pointed out.

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