Mangalagiri/Bapatla Town: Following the publication of a news item in Sakshi daily newspaper on TDP MLC Annam Satish's pledging of government lands to a bank and defaulting later, his followers sought to gherao the Sakshi offices here. The MLC's men drew up an elaborate plan to attack the office of the newspaper in Atmakuru village of Mangalagiri mandal in Guntur district. Police who were informed of their plans, however, thwarted their attempts and kept them at bay.

Earlier, followers of the MLC who set out from Bapatla were stopped midway by the police and when they were stopped again, they got into an argument. From the time that Annam Satish's followers left Bapatla, they kept calling their chosen media outlets to pass on updates and reached Sakshi office raising slogans around 1.00 pm in the afternoon.

The police however, refused to allow them to go inside the newspaper offices. Later, they sat in front of the offices, raising slogans. A team of 50 police officers led by Guntur (North Zone) DSP G. Ramakrishna were present at the spot.

Kona Raghupati Faults TDP Response

YSRCP MLA Kona Raghupati faulted the TDP leaders for trying to attack the Press when newspapers published articles citing irregularities indulged in by the ruling party men. The reporters in question researched the topic and published substantiating it with evidence, he said.

If the TDP leaders chose to rebut these charges they should present their side of the story providing clearcut proof, he added. He questioned the attitude of the bank in disbursing a loan without taking necessary precautions, which they do in the case of a common individual. Banks which refused to waive loans of farmers winked at such irregularities, he pointed out.

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