The indefinite hunger strike by Ex-TDP MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao which entered the seventh day on Tuesday has been broken by the Vizag Police in the wee hours. The TDP leader was shifted forcefully from the site of the hunger strike to a nearby hospital for medical tests, following a midnight drama by the personnel. A minor stampede broke out as TDP workers blocked the police vehicle in which Palla Srinivasa Rao was being taken away. Following the scuffle, the police had to use force and disperse the agitating protesters. The TDP leader was taken by the police to KIMS ICON Hospitals in Sheela Nagar. Police state that the weakening health condition of the TDP leader led them to the decision to interrupt the hunger strike.
It has been six days since the Ex-TDP MLA initiated a hunger strike opposing Centre’s decision to privatise RINL. Even all parties irrespective of political differences backed the hunger strike led by Palla Srinivasa Rao for the Vizag Steel Plant. A plan to back up the hunger strike was also chalked out in a meeting chaired by the TDP AP Chief Kinjarapu Atchannaidu.
In this scenario, the former AP CM and TDP National President N Chandrababu Naidu gave a clarion call for a massive statewide agitation to protect the Vizag Steel Plant which was formed due to the sacrifices and struggle of the people of Andhra Pradesh. It was also announced that Chandrababu Naidu would visit Vizag to meet Palla Srinivasa Rao who’s on a hunger strike and express his solidarity. However, hours prior to Chandrababu’s arrival, the Vizag Police on Tuesday early morning broke the Ex-TDP MLA’s hunger strike and shifted him to a nearby hospital.
