CPI(M) today strongly condemned the arrest of its Polit Bureau member and Andhra Pradesh state secretary B V Raghavulu along with other Left leaders in Hyderabad.
A statement released by CPI(M) Central Committee said that ten Left parties had jointly given a call for protest against the exorbitant hike in the electricity charges in Andhra Pradesh.
"The hunger strike continued for five days when the Andhra Pradesh Assembly was in session. As soon as the session ended, the government cracked down on the protesting Left leaders, who are currently in hospital," the statement said.
"Such brutal attacks on popular protests against the burdens being imposed on the people will not be tolerated. This hike comes in addition to the other burdens being imposed on the people through hike in prices of other essential commodities," it said.
Police had yesterday forcibly shifted the Left leaders, who were sitting on an indefinite fast for last four days, to hospitals. The police action came after the health conditions of the leaders began to deteriorate.
