Law and order under unprecedented assault in Andhra: YSRCP

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 30 (ANI): The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Tuesday alleged that law and order in Andhra Pradesh is under "unprecedented assault" under the coalition government, following a round-table conference held in Vijayawada on police functioning and the deteriorating security situation in the state.
A round-table conference on "Police Functioning and the Deteriorating Law and Order Situation" was organised in Vijayawada, where participants unanimously expressed concern over what they described as the collapse of law and order, stating that democratic values, constitutional rights and the rule of law were under severe strain.
According to an official statement released by the party, the conference brought together former ministers Ambati Rambabu and Merugu Nagarjuna; former MLAs Malladi Vishnu; retired IAS officer Vijay Kumar; retired ASP Jalla Rajeswar Reddy; social activist Vasundhara; academician Prof Ramachandraiah; High Court advocate KVM Rajani; YSRCP Publicity Wing President Kakumanu Rajasekhar; along with lawyers, retired civil servants, intellectuals and political analysts.
They highlighted rising attacks on women, political violence, false cases against victims, custodial deaths and the shrinking space for democratic dissent.
The speakers demanded an immediate CBI investigation into the custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna and the suicide of Perupogu Kranti Kumar, stating that the destruction of CCTV footage, disappearance of evidence and the handling of both cases have destroyed confidence in the state police.
They said custodial deaths cannot be credibly investigated by the same police machinery and called for accountability extending beyond individual officers to the higher levels of the police hierarchy.
The meeting also expressed concern over the politicisation of the police, selective registration of cases, attacks on Opposition leaders, harassment of lawyers, and the growing insecurity among women, Dalits, backward classes and ordinary citizens. Participants argued that constitutional safeguards, including the right to life and due process, are being undermined, while institutions are failing to protect citizens from abuse of power.
The round table resolved that a comprehensive public charge sheet on the government's law and order record should be prepared, documenting custodial deaths, attacks on women, political violence, misuse of police powers and suppression of democratic rights.
The participants urged independent institutional intervention to restore public confidence, uphold constitutional governance and ensure justice for victims. (ANI)