Arrest of Left-wing activists an "undeclared emergency": V Narayanasamy

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today condemned the arrest of five Left-wing activists by the Maharashtra police, alleging that it was a manifestation of an "undeclared emergency" unfolding in the country.

"In a democracy, freedom of thought, belief, and expression are fundamental foundations and the Centre should not try to belittle the sacrosanct features of democracy by attempting to crush the freedom of individuals," he told reporters here.

Referring to the arrest of the activists on charges of links with Maoists, he said the action against the 'progressive' writers and thinkers would never be tolerated in a democracy.

On the Reserve Bank of India's report that over 99 percent of demonetized Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes had returned to the banking system, he said Prime Minister

Narendra Modi owed an explanation to the nation for "concealing" the truth He claimed that the sudden announcement of demonetization by the Prime Minister on the night of November 8, 2016, had led to 'serious consequences' and hit the economy.

Narayanasamy also hit out at the Centre for the unchecked rise in prices of petrol and diesel across the country.

The 'short-sighted' economic and fiscal policies of the BJP-led NDA government had affected the development of the country and the 'failures' would get reflected in the Parliamentary elections next year, the Chief Minister claimed.

He was speaking to media after flagging off a lorry carrying relief materials to flood-ravaged Kerala.

Narayanasamy said Rs 10 crore would be contributed to the Kerala Flood Relief Fund in the next one week. This comprised aid from the union territory government and donation of one-month salaries from MPs and MLAs and the government employees besides contributions from the public, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)