Former Telugu Desam legislator GV Aanjaneyulu and several members of the party began a protest deeksha against the removal of statues of NTR and Paritala Ravindra at Vinukonda on Sunday. The two statues were removed on court orders at Vishnukundi Nagar but the protestors demanded immediate reinstallation of the statues.
With tension mounting in Vinukonda, police placed Aanjaneyulu under house arrest where he launched his deeksha.
The two statues were erected on the Perumalla branch canal of Vishnukundi Nagar without taking prior permission following which a local filed a petition in the High Court which ordered officials to remove the statutes.
Vinukonda Urban Circle Inspector D Chinna Mallaiah said that one D Yedukondala filed a petition against the illegal statues. Although the HC issued orders more than two years ago that they be removed within 14 days, the municipal and revenue departments did not remove them. Consequently, he filed a contempt petition in the High Court, which directed officials to implement its orders immediately.
Vinukonda Tahsildar Venkateswaralu and municipal commissioner Srinivasulu submitted a report on the issue to district collector I Samuel Anand Kumar and he directed the officials to remove two statues, which they did with the support of police despite the TDP protest. Narasaraopet DSP M Veera Reddy said that the statues were shifted to the Tahsildar office premises to avoid tension in the town.
Aanjaneyulu alleged that YSRC leaders pressurized the officials to remove the statues for political gains. He demanded removal of all statues, including that of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, which is obstructing traffic in Vinukonda. He warned of stir if authorities do not oblige.
