Hyderabad: Two Andhra Pradesh ministers were on Saturday taken into preventive custody in Mahbubnagar district to avert a possible clash between their groups, police said.
Endowments Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Information and Public Relations Minister DK Aruna were taken into police custody at separate places and shifted to different police stations as tension mounted in Gadwal constituency in view of
the former`s `pada yatra (foot march)` in support of Telangana.
Aruna was subsequently set free on personal surety as she had to take part in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi`s death anniversary programme, a senior police officer said.
Jupally, who had submitted his resignation to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in March demanding creation of Telangana state, had undertaken the `pada yatra` in Mahbubnagar district 23 days ago and covered several Assembly constituencies.
Aruna, who represents Gadwal, objected to Jupally`s yatra
in her segment and petitioned against him to Chief Minister N
Kiran Kumar Reddy alleging that the foot march was only for
personal gains. She vowed to prevent her Cabinet colleague`s
yatra in her home turf.
Jupally sought police protection in the wake of Aruna`s
warning as his yatra was to enter Gadwal constituency today.
As he was about to embark on his yatra from Aiza town,
police took Jupally into custody and shifted him to Pebberu
police station.
Around the same time, Aruna was detained in Tummalapalli
village and taken to Dharur police station.
"Both the ministers were taken into preventive custody to
avert a law and order problem," Mahbubnagar SP G Sudheer Babu
said, adding that the situation was under control.
Reports from Gadwal, however, said supporters of Jupally
called for a bandh in Aiza town in protest against his
detention.
"When I have covered several constituencies in the
district as part of the yatra peacefully in the last 23 days,
where was the need for police to arrest me today? Why I am
prohibited from touring in Gadwal?" the Endowments Minister
questioned.
MP Manda Jagannadham, who had accompanied Jupally, also
protested the latter`s detention and said as elected public
representatives they had the right to tour any place.
PTI
