BJP demands judicial inquiry into Sompet firing

Vijayawada, Jul 15 : The Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded judicial inquiry by a High Court judge and resignation of Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy and Srikakulam district in-charge Minister D Prasada Rao over the police firing in Sompet in which two persons were killed and more than 100 injured.Addressing a press conference here, BJP official spokesman, Srinivasa Raju and party state secretary L Vengala Rao Yadav said apart from judicial inquiry into the firing incident yesterday, police officials concerned also should be immediately suspended.Vehemently condemning the firing, Mr Raju demanded the resgination of Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and District in-charge Minister D Prasada Rao for the police firing.Demanding that the state government announce an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to each family of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh to the injured, the BJP leader alleged that District in-charge Minister Prasada Rao had been provocating the people by his statements over the construction of thermal power station at Sompet.Stating that the area where the government intended to establish the power project was farm land as paddy was cultivated in 52,000 acres, he said the farmers of the area were apprehensive that if the project was constructed it would not only spoil the farm land but also lead to drinking water scarcity.Making it clear that the BJP was not against establishment of projects, he said the projects should be constructed in the barren lands without affecting the environment and topography of the area.The BJP will extend full solidarity to the agitating people, he said.Mr Vengala Rao Yadav alleged that the Sri Krishna Committee, constituted by the Centre to examine the demand for separate Telangana was only dragging the issue. Reiterating that the BJP did not recognize the Sri Krishna Committee, he accused the TDP and Congress leaders of opposing the creation of separate Telangana, only to protect their properties which were centralized in Hyderabad.The BJP in Coastal Andhra Pradesh will launch a massive 'Jai Andhra' agitation shortly in favour of bifurcation of the state, he said.
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