Friday, August 19 2005 18:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: President of the now-banned Revolutionary Writers' Association (Virasam) Kalyan Rao and several of its members were arrested here this evening (August 19, 2005).

Rao and other members of the Virasam, which was banned two days ago along with the CPI (Maoists), were picked up from the Press Club at Bashir Bag here soon after they addressed a press conference, police said.

The arrests were made under the provisions of the A P Public Security Act, DGP Swaranjit Sen said.

Earlier in the day, former naxalite emissary and revolutionary writer Varavara Rao was arrested from his residence.

Earlier in the day state Director General of Police Swaranjit Sen said."We are acting as per the law and in the interests of public safety and security. Any statement or action that amounts to encourages violence will attract the provisions of A P Public Security Act,"

Then he indicated that Gadar and Kalyan Rao, who is also the president of the now banned Revolutionary Writers' Association, could be taken into custody.

The DGP made it clear that the police had "no intention other than protecting the public interests and safety."

Asked whether Gadar could be arrested in the wake of the fresh crackdown, Sen said "He can be taken into custody if his statements amount to encouraging violence."

Meanwhile, Home Minister K Jana Reddy and DGP called on Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and briefed him about the situation in wake of the imposition of ban on Maoists, official sources said.

Several civil rights organisations condemned the arrest dubbing it as yet another instance of repressive measures being taken by the Rajasekhar Reddy government.

Earlier Gadar had told reporters "If participating in peace talks is a crime, then the state Ministers, who took part in the negotiations, should also be arrested. We strongly condemn Rao's arrest and demand his immediate release."