Setback for Jagan govt; AP HC suspends GO No.1 till Jan 23

AMARAVATI: In yet another setback for the YS Jaganmohan Reddy Government, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday suspended the controversial GO No.1 which imposed restrictions on public meetings and roadshows in the state.

A vacation bench of the High Court heard a writ petition filed on behalf of CPI State Secretary Ramakrishna, challenging the implementation of the GO. The petitioner claimed that the prohibitory order was not only a violation of the freedom of expression but was also discriminatory in nature.

After hearing the arguments on the writ petition, the vacation bench suspended the implementation of the GO No.1 till January 23 before adjourning the hearing till January 20.

The Andhra Pradesh Government of YS Jaganmohan Reddy has recently issued the GO No.1, restricting the conduct of public meetings and roadshows in the wake of the twin tragedies at TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s event in Kandukuru and Guntur.

At least 9 persons were killed in a stampede at a roadshow of Chandrababu Naidu on a narrow road in Kandukur on December 29 last year. Even before the nightmare was fresh in memory, another incident of similar nature took place a few days later at a freebies distribution programme during a Chandrababu Naidu event in Guntur. At least three women were killed in a stampede during the distribution of Chandranna Kanuka kits at the TDP chief’s public meeting.

Even as the State Government sought refuge behind the twin tragedies to defend the issuance of the GO, it evoked criticism from all the opposition parties, including the TDP.