Andhra bans Sakshi News channel over Kapu agitation coverage

All operators across Andhra Pradesh have been asked to block Sakshi News channel since yesterday, and the report has been confirmed by several ministers today. When enquired about the blocking of the Telugu new channel, deputy chief minister and home minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa confirmed the news and reiterated that government could take any steps for the sake of law and order.

He defended the action stating that the channel would be off the airwaves until Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham called off his fast.

The minister took a strong objection to the channel's broadcast of the Kapu agitation. In his view, the channel had been inciting people and trying to create problems in law and order in the state. 

“The channel will be revived only after Mudragada calls off his fast,” he said.

Chief minister Naidu's TDP  government has been alleging that that Kapu leader Mudragada was backed by YSRC leader Jaganmohan Reddy and had been implementing 'Jagan's agenda'.

Chief Minister Naidu publicly charged that YSR Congress had a role in the Ratnanchal Express burning incident, that took place at Tuni on January 31, 2016.

Reacting to Mudragada’s fast yesterday, Naidu claimed that outsiders were responsible for the torching of the train. Minutes after Naidu's press conference on Thursday, Sakshi News channel has been blocked. It has been alleged that the police had called up offices of other news channels as well and ordered them to stop telecasting incidents at Kirlampudi.

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On the other side, opposition leader Jaganmohan Reddy strongly attacked the government for Mudragada’s arrest. 

“What was wrong with sitting on a fast to demand the implementation of the government’s assurance?” Jagan asked.  "Chandrababu Naidu is behaving like a dictator. The arrest of  Mudragada and the blocking out of news channels highlights the dangerous, undemocratic streak in Naidu. We condemn this attitude," he said demanding CBI inquiry into Tuni incident.

Congress leader and Opposition leader in Legislative Council C Ramachandraia also condemned the blocking out of Sakshi News channel.  

“This is part of a nefarious design to ensure that news about the Kapu agitation is not aired by the channel. By his actions, the chief minister is provoking the Kapu people,”  he said. 

This is the second time that the Andhra Pradesh government has imposed a ban on a news channel. NTV 24x7 Telugu News was the first to be banned in this manner. In June last year, the channel was forcibly closed for allegedly telecasting a telephonic conversation that took place between chief minister Naidu and nominated Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson in the note-for-vote case. This telecast reportedly triggered a chain reaction - including Naidu’s shifting of his base from  Hyderabad to Vijayawada overnight.

Kapu leader Mudragada launched an indefinite fast yesterday morning, demanding early implementation of reservations to Kapus and the withdrawal of cases booked against Kapu youth. Mudragad had shut himself in a room in his residence at Kirlampudi village in East Godavari district.  Police, however, succeeded in arresting him after breaking the doors to the chamber. 

Later he was shifted to a hospital in Rajahmundry, where he revived his fast. He is said to have refused to undergo medical tests and treatment in the hospital.

Meanwhile, East Godavari district observed a bandh against the arrest of the Kapu leader. Kapu organisations have asked the bandh to continue tomorrow as well.