TDP MP jailed over Amaravati protest, party alleges police manhandling

TDP MP Galla Jayadev was jailed in connection with the Amaravati farmers' protest against the 'three-capital' Bill which was passed by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. A case under non-bailable sections of the IPC was registered against him, as the protests turned violent with many, including six cops allegedly being injured.

Amaravati (AP):Telugu Desam Party MP Galla Jayadev was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday, in connection with the farmers' protest and remanded to judicial custody.

A case under various non-bailable sections of IPC was registered against Guntur MP Galla Jayadev and he was arrested after Monday midnight, police said.

The MP was produced before the Mangalagiri magistrate about 3 am. He was denied bail and was later lodged in the Guntur sub jail around 4.30 am.

Hundreds of farmers and women almost reached the Legislature complex, defying prohibitory order and breaking police security cordon on Monday as part of the ongoing agitation demanding that Amaravati be retained as the state capital.

Some of the protesters allegedly pelted stones at the police personnel, resulting in injuries to at least six constables, according to Guntur Rural SP C Vijaya Rao.

Read: Four Amaravati farmers climb cell tower in protest against three capital proposal

Followers of the Guntur MP were also allegedly involved in the attack on police personnel.

Condemning Jayadev's arrest, fellow TDP MP alleged that he was manhandled. "The manhandling and detaining of Jayadev Anna in his protest for Amaravati shows AP has become a police state. Police are given a license to do anything by the YS Jagan government. If an MP can't be guaranteed his right to protest, can commons citizen speak up?" he tweeted.

Meanwhile, TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu and several MLAs of his party, who were taken into custody as they attempted to carry out a foot march from the Assembly to the nearby Mandadam village late on Monday night were taken on a ride in police vehicles around various villages in the capital region.

Even after the Chief Minister's convoy reached his residence at the end of the day's session of Assembly, the police did not release Naidu and other TDP leaders.

They were finally set free only after midnight. TDP state president K Kala Venkata Rao strongly condemned the police action.

Read: AP to have three capitals as Assembly passes Bill amidst intensified protests