Nellore: BJP’s stand favouring the reinstallation of Shiva Lingam in the middle of Nellore tank has been snowballing into a controversy, going by a case filed by Nellore revenue divisional officer, using his magisterial powers, against BJP general secretary Sannapareddy Suresh Reddy under Section 113 of the CrPC on Wednesday.
As per Section 113, the magistrate may issue a warrant for the arrest of any person if there is reason to fear that he would cause breach of peace. Reacting to the case, Suresh Reddy said that they are not scared of cases but they have no plans for any confrontation with the minorities.
He demanded to know the details of action taken by the police when a former SP was attacked near the limits of one town police station, two years ago, by a section of extremists living in the city.
Referring to the promises of urban development minister P. Narayana and NUDA chairman Kotamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy, to unearth the centuries-old Shiva Lingam from the tank and reinstall it, similar to the Buddha statue in Tank Bund at Hyderabad, Suresh Reddy criticised them for going back on the assurance for minority votes. He said that CPM leaders also opposed claims by some people that Nellore tanks belongs to them.
He said he is ready for arrest if the authorities are prepared to apprehend the extremists living in the town. He said the anti-social elements, with the backing of the ruling party bigwigs, have been harassing the officials and threatening them with transfers.
Suresh Reddy advised the officers to ignore the directions of the ruling party leaders while reminding that many officers were jailed for ignoring rules while following the orders of the leaders in the past.
He rebuked Minister Narayana for overlooking the rules and court orders and allotting crores worth Endowment lands to his followers. “With these kind of actions, the Minister is hurting the sentiments of Hindus,” Suresh Reddy alleged.
