Don't obstruct public movement in capital region: HC to govt

Hyderabad: Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports highlighting the plight of locals due to heavy police presence in and around Amaravati, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday issued a slew of directions to the government over the ongoing agitation of farmers there.

The court ordered the police to allow villagers to visit temples and asked them not to create hindrances in the movement of the public in the area. It directed the superintendents of police of Guntur and Krishna districts and the police chief of Vijaywada to adhere to rules.

The court directed the Chief Secretary, DGP, Principal Secretary (Home) and Principal Secretary (GAD) to stick to the Police Act, citing that 10 petitions have been filed in the past three weeks against the imposition of IPC Sections 30 and 144 in the capital region villages.

The high court ordered the government to issue instructions to the police to not to check the houses of the villagers in the capital region. The government was also asked to provide medical assistance to the farmers and the general public injured because of the police action in the area.

The HC has asked the state to provide the details of the arrested persons. It sought to know as to what kind of action was initiated against the police personnel who violated CrPC 46. It asked the government to file a counter-affidavit by January 17, the date of the next hearing.