CPM leaders storm Collectorate, arrested

Ongole: The Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPM) leaders and cadre laid siege to the Prakasam district Collectorate on Monday, demanding that the government allocate Rs 10,000 crore of funds for development of the district and fulfill the nine major promises made to the district by the government.

The East Prakasam district CPM secretary, Punati Anjaneyulu, district executive committee members Shaik Mabu, Ubba Adilakshmi, Banka Subbarao, Pentyala Kalpana, Swamy Reddy, Babu Rao and others led the rally with hundreds of CPM workers and supporters from the Sundarayya Bhavan to the Collectorate. 

They raised slogans demanding that the government increase funds to complete Veligonda project by 2018-end, complete the pending projects in the district to give water for irrigation and drinking needs, purchase the red gram, subabul, chilli and other crops with minimum support price, provide safe drinking water to all villages in the district etc.

They were confronted by the police at Collectorate. Amid heated arguments, the CPM workers laid siege to Collectorate. The leaders demanded that the police allow them to meet Collector to give representation to him. 

As the protest turned intense, the police applied force and arrested the leaders. The agitators were shifted to Ongole  Two-Town, Jarugumalli and Santanutalapadu police stations.

The CPM leaders announced that they fight the illegal arrests and continue to protest against the government for the welfare of the district.