In yet another fracas involving a legislator and police personnel in the high-security Andhra Pradesh assembly, a BJP MLA K Ramakrishna Reddy on Saturday alleged that he was 'obstructed and abused' by security personnel manning the entrance gate and demanded action against them.
Raising the issue in the house during zero hour, Reddy said the 'intrusive security' has become a humiliating experience for legislators.
He said his car was stopped by security personnel whose behaviour was 'rude and reprehensible'.
"If they do not want public representatives to come and discharge their duties, let it be a police fortress. Is this the way to behave with legislators? Do we come here to face humiliation from a constable?," Reddy said in a voice choked with emotion.
The Speaker K Pratibha Bharathi assured the agitated member that she would call for an explanation from the police official concerned and see that such incidents did not recur.
As Reddy, who represents Peddapalli in Karimnagar district, spoke about the 'rude behaviour' of policemen on duty, the Congress members also joined him in protesting against the 'increasingly intrusive' security.
This is the second such incident where the heightened security set-up has touched the raw nerves of MLAs.
On the opening day of the winter session, being held in the grim backdrop of terrorist attack on Parliament, a commotion had prevailed when policemen removed a car, belonging to a Congress member C K Babu, from a parking lot of the Congress Legislature Party's office.
The issue had sparked off protests from the opposition who resented the restrictions being imposed on members in the name of security.
Unprecedented security measures have been put in place this time around with surveillance cameras being installed at key points and entry of visitors restricted. The recent spurt in naxalite violence has also prompted further tightening of security. Bureau Report