Youths plan silent protest in Vizag tomorrow over spl status

Youths in Andhra Pradesh are planning a "silent beach protest" in Visakhapatnam on Republic Day tomorrow demanding special category status (SCS) for the state, which has found support from Opposition parties and social groups, even as the port city is gearing up for a two-day Partnership Summit on January 27 and 28.
The protest has been called by unknown youths through Facebook and other social media and is now being supported by main opposition YSR Congress, Jana Sena and other outfits.
It was Telugu film star and Jana Sena Pawan Kalyan who was the first to respond to the call and throw his support behind the unknown youths and asked them to make it totally apolitical.

Though he has so far not announced any plan to personally take part in the movement, sources close to him did not rule out the possibility of the star springing a surprise.
Also, the YSRC was quick to jump in and called for a candle light protest on the Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam. Leader of Opposition and YSRC chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy announced that he would take part in the candle light protest in Visakhapatnam tomorrow.
However, state Director General of Police (in charge) Nanduri Sambasiva Rao ruled out permitting the youth protest in view of the "threat perception" for Visakhapatnam, that too on the eve of the Partnership Summit that the government has taken up as a prestigious event.

"Nobody has sought permission for the protest and in any event permission cannot be granted for such agitations. Unsocial elements might creep in and cause disturbances," the DGP apprehended.

The Jana Sena hit back asserting that none could deny the youth their "democratic right".
"If they don't allow it now, you are creating unrest in them. Peaceful protest is their right. Youth protest is apolitical. Its citizens right to protest when they were denied for what they had been promised. AP government should allow youth for a peaceful protest, which they had planned. No one can deny their right in democracy," Kalyan said in a series of tweets.

"The Partnership Summit is precisely for attracting
industries to the state, which will generate jobs. If SCS is meant for this, then why disturb the Partnership Summit," senior TDP MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy questioned.
Stating that youth had a right to protest in a peaceful manner, he suggested that any agitation could be taken up after the Summit.
"They can duly seek police permission and organise their protest," he added.
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Meanwhile, police today clamped down section 144 of CrPc in Visakhapatnam prohibiting assembly of people in view of the protest call.
As per the order issued by DCP (Law and Order) Navin Gulati, "all unlawful activities, blocking of roads and passages by agitators have been prohibited in the areas under II-Town, MR Peta, III-Town, MVP Colony, IV-Town, Dwaraka, Arilova, PM Palem, Bheemili, Anandapuram and Padmanabham police stations limits between 5 PM on January 25 to 6 AM on January 27."

Police have not granted permission for any protest and candle light rallies tomorrow and have warned of strict action against violators.
In a bid to prevent gathering of protesters, the police have announced suspension of traffic on Beach Road between 6 AM to 10 PM tomorrow.
"Considering Intelligence alerts, we have not given permission to any protesters on Republic Day. There is no permission for the candle light rally or any silent protest on the Beach either," Commissioner of Police T Yoganand told reporters.
As per the IB alert, some anti-social elements can foment trouble during R Day in cities like Vizag, Hyderabad and others, he said.

He appealed to YSRCP leaders, fans of Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, students of various colleges and the youth in general not to assemble and participate in any protest tomorrow and during the upcoming summit.
Replying to a question, Yoganand said, "We have planned our strategies and have sufficient force to tackle the situation. Even if the number of protesters swells to 30,000, we can handle the situation."
Police have also set up check posts at various places in the city.
He said residents of Beach Road will have to produce some identity proof for roaming on the stretch.

Apart from local police, various wings like AP Special Police, Greyhounds and Octopus will be part of the security ring for the summit.
"Besides, all hotels, beach road and the venue of the event will be under the surveillance of CCTV cameras and will be monitored from the Central Command Centre 24/7," the commissioner said.