500 BJP workers detained for holding protests in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Around 500 BJP workers, including former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and BJP national secretary Dr K Laxman, were taken into preventive custody for holding protests in front of the police commissionerate here today.

BJP's Greater Hyderabad unit had organised a dharna opposite the Police Commissioner Office at Basheerbagh to protest cases registered against "innocent persons," including the party's workers, in connection with the recent incidents of communal violence in parts of the city, police said.

BJP leaders and workers gathered in front of the police commissoner's office and raised slogans condemning police action and their alleged "failure" in acting against those responsible for the communal violence.

The area surrounding the commissionerate was cordoned off by erecting barricades and a large police force had been deployed to contain the protesters.

BJP workers were taken into preventive custody when they tried to meet Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma for submitting a memorandum. The detainees were later taken to various police stations, police said.

Greater Hyderabad city president Venkat Reddy and former MLA Baddan Balreddy were other BJP leaders taken into custody, they said.

Meanwhile, while Dattatreya was being taken away by the police, he said, "It is unfortunate that incidents of communal violence are being reported once again in Hyderabad city due to inefficiency of the state government."