Police disallow large gatherings at Nellore jail and Nallapureddy’s residence during Jagan’s visit on July 31

Ahead of YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Nellore district on Thursday to meet former MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy in the Nellore Central Prison and another former MLA Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy at his residence, party leader and MLC Parvathareddy Chandrashekhar Reddy has received a notice from the police disallowing large gathering at both the places.

Responding to the MLC’s letter seeking permission for mobilising people during Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit, the Nellore Rural and Town police allowed 10 persons at the helipad and three vehicles, along with the security convoy, during the entire programme.

When Mr. Chandrashekhar Reddy refused to accept, the police issued another notice allowing 15 vehicles, including three vehicles of the organisers, during the programme.

Moreover, the entry into the prison for ‘mulaqat’ was restricted to three persons, including Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Mr. Govardhan Reddy was arrested and lodged in the prison in the alleged illegal mining and other cases.

According to the notice served under Section 168 (to prevent cognisable offences) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the prison allows only limited visits during ‘mulaqat’, and the residence of Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy, which was recently ransacked by unknown miscreants for his alleged objectionable comments on the incumbent MLA, is located in a densely populated area, not suitable of managing large gatherings.

“Both the locations pose serious public safety concerns such as sudden crowd surge that may lead to stampede-like situation and traffic congestion. To prevent any loss of life, damage to property, breach of peace, or disturbance to public order, the YSRCP leaders are advised to refrain from mobilising people during the proposed programme,” the police officials said in the notice.

However, the YSRCP leaders alleged that it was the plan of the NDA government to curb the former Chief Minister’s public outreach.

“Unnecessary restrictions are being imposed on Mr. Jagan’s tour. Not even one person is allowed at the house of Mr. Prasanna Kumar Reddy, and only 10 persons are permitted to go to the helipad, but not to the jail,” said Mr. Chandrashekhar Reddy.

This was the third time the YSRCP leaders scheduled Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Nellore to meet Mr. Govardhan Reddy in jail. The earlier plan on June 12 had been cancelled reportedly due to the chaos during his visit to Podili in Prakasam district on June 11. The proposed visit on July 1 had to be postponed due to various reasons.

“The helipad venue suggested by the officials is in a forest area. Our technical staff have informed that the area is not suitable for levelling and laying an approach road. Though Mr. Jagan has decided to come to Renigunta in a special helicopter and reach Nellore by road, the weather conditions are not suitable on July 1,” Mr. Chandrashekhar Reddy said.