AISF and AIYF functionaries, who staged a bare-chested rally and protest at the Kadapa Collectorate on Monday demanding the setting up of a steel plant in the district, were arrested by police. CPI district secretary G. Easwaraiah, who flagged off the rally, demanded a special package of Rs. 1 lakh crore for the comprehensive development of Rayalaseema. He said the AISF and the AIYF had launched a signature campaign to muster public support for the demand.
He also demanded sanction of substantial funds, setting up of industries and higher education institutes, completion of irrigation projects and release of water to avert farmer suicides. AISF president V. Ganga Suresh and AIYF secretary Maddileti participated in the protest.
