Roja Arrested After Intelligence Alert: AP DGP

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police Sambasiva Rao today clarified that YSR Congress Party MLA Roja was arrested following intelligence information that she might create disturbance in the National Women's Parliament session being held at Amaravathi.

The DGP informed the YSRCP leaders who had called on him after the arrest of Roja, that the session was being attended by women representatives from across the world, and it was the responsibility of the police to ensure peace and maintain law and order. He said that the police had received a tip-off that Roja would resort to a demonstration near the dais, resulting in their pre-emptive detention of her.

The DGP said that Roja would be allowed to attend the session if the YSR Congress leaders gave an assurance that there would be no disturbance.

The YSRCP leaders, including former minister Parthasarathi, and MLAs Gouri Charita, Giddi Eshwari and others, had gone to meet the DGP protesting the arrest of Roja. Eshwari said that they had come to attend the session upon the invitation sent by the State government, and it was unfortunate that a woman leader was arrested when a women's empowerment session was going on.

Earlier, Roja was taken into custody at the Gannavaram airport when she arrived at 9:30 am to participate in the parliament. She was taken into custody following IB information that she would likely create a problem in the function. After the arrest, Roja was taken to the Midikonduru police station in the Guntur district.