HYDERABAD, India, 31 July 2007 — Ahead of his one-day visit to Hyderabad, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. Rajasekhara Reddy yesterday to express “regret” and convey his condolences to the relatives of those who died in police firing in Khammam district two days ago.
“The prime minister expressed his regret at the unfortunate incident,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office, referring to the incident in which six activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) were killed Saturday.
Eight other activists were injured when police opened fire at the protesters in Mudigonda, some 200 km from Hyderabad, during a statewide agitation seeking land for the poor.
“The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to redistribute the surplus land and fulfill the stated commitments to the rural poor, especially the landless,” the statement said.
“The chief minister informed the prime minister of the steps taken and of the decision to institute a judicial inquiry. The prime minister conveyed heartfelt sympathy for the next of the kin of those who died in the firing,” it said.
“He enquired about the welfare of those injured.”
After the incident, left parties have mounted pressure on Reddy to resign and warned that the incident would have “far-reaching repercussions.” They also wanted the Congress leadership to take note of the strong public resentment against the chief minister.
Manmohan Singh’s visit to Hyderabad today is primarily aimed at reviewing the various programs on agriculture and infrastructure, as also to discuss investment plans for Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
Reddy is also likely to bring up the proposal to set up an autonomous market regulator for pricing of natural gas in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, as suggested by the Planning Commission.
Telugu Desam Party President N. Chandrababu Naidu said he would undertake a day’s fast at Indira Park today demanding that the prime minister visit the families of the victims of the police firing.
Naidu said he had written a letter to the prime minister listing his demands. He urged Manmohan Singh to take action against those responsible for the police firing and to sack Reddy. “The chief minister remains unrepentant despite the loss of innocent lives. He should not be allowed to hold on to his post a minute longer and he must quit immediately,” he added.
“The prime minister heads the UPA government. There is a Congress government here. When the poor are under attack in the state and when inhuman incidents are taking place, is it not the responsibility of the prime minister to ensure that rule of law prevails in the state,” he asked.
