Amaravati witnessed heightened political tension on Monday as leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged a protest outside the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) office, accusing the police of denying them permission to submit a complaint regarding the alleged murder of Dalit activist and party worker Manda Salman. The opposition party alleged police apathy, political interference, and a breakdown of law and order under the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government.

The protest followed strong allegations made by YSRCP supremo and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who claimed that Salman, a Dalit activist and party cadre, was brutally attacked and killed by TDP leaders using iron rods. According to Reddy, the incident occurred when Salman went to visit his ailing wife, and the attack was politically motivated.

In a statement released by the party, the YSRCP said its leaders had approached the DGP’s office to lodge a formal complaint seeking justice for Salman’s family but were denied permission by the police. “The opposition party staged a protest before the DGP’s office after police refused to allow its leaders to submit a complaint over the killing of Dalit activist Manda Salman,” the party said.

According to the YSRCP, repeated attempts by its leaders to secure an appointment with the DGP were unsuccessful, leaving them with no option but to stage a dharna outside the office premises. After sustained protests, an Additional DGP eventually received the party’s representation, though the opposition claimed this was insufficient and reflected the police leadership’s reluctance to address the issue seriously.

The YSRCP alleged that Salman’s killing amounted to a “government-sponsored murder,” accusing the state administration and police machinery of shielding the perpetrators because of their alleged political affiliations with the ruling TDP. The party further claimed that the police failed to register a proper first information report (FIR) against those responsible for the killing.

In a particularly serious allegation, the YSRCP said that instead of booking the accused, the police had “shockingly filed a case against the deceased activist himself.” Party leaders described this as an unprecedented miscarriage of justice and an attempt to intimidate the victim’s family while deflecting attention from the alleged attackers.

Senior YSRCP leader and former minister Merugu Nagarjuna said the treatment meted out to Salman and his family exposed deep institutional bias. “We were not even allowed to see Salman’s body initially,” Nagarjuna said in the party release. “The police acted only after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that he would personally come and perform the burial. This shows how insensitive and hostile the system has become.”

The opposition party also alleged that the police obstructed Salman’s family from performing his last rites in accordance with religious customs. Former Gurazala MLA Kasu Mahesh Reddy claimed that authorities demanded Aadhaar cards even for conducting the burial, which he described as inhumane and unnecessary. “This is not just administrative high-handedness; it is a direct assault on human dignity,” he said.

YSRCP leaders used the protest to level broader allegations about the state of law and order in Andhra Pradesh. They claimed that serious crimes, particularly those involving Dalits, women and children, were either not being registered or were deliberately diluted to protect politically connected individuals. According to the party, Salman’s case was emblematic of a larger pattern of selective policing and systemic discrimination.

Kasu Mahesh Reddy alleged that Andhra Pradesh had “descended into lawlessness,” accusing the police of acting as an extension of the ruling party rather than as an impartial law enforcement agency. “Instead of arresting the attackers, the police have turned the victim into an accused. This raises serious questions about whether the police are working for the people or under political instructions,” he said.

The YSRCP also alleged that its leaders were humiliated at the DGP office and treated with disrespect, despite representing a major opposition party. The incident, the party said, reflected the shrinking democratic space in the state and the growing intolerance towards dissenting voices.

As part of its demands, the YSRCP called for compensation of ₹1 crore to Salman’s family, citing the loss of life, alleged police negligence and the family’s social and economic vulnerability. The party also demanded immediate action against TDP MLA Yarapathineni Srinivas Rao, whom it named in connection with the alleged attack.

The opposition party announced that it would approach the Andhra Pradesh High Court through a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking judicial intervention to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the case. The YSRCP said it would continue its agitation until justice was delivered to Salman’s family and accountability was fixed on those responsible, including police officials accused of dereliction of duty.

“This is not just about one individual,” the party said in its release. “This is about the safety of Dalits, the rule of law and the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law. We will not rest until justice is done.”

The protest adds to the growing political confrontation between the YSRCP and the ruling TDP, with law and order emerging as a major flashpoint. The killing of a Dalit activist and the allegations surrounding police conduct have the potential to resonate widely, particularly among marginalised communities and civil rights groups.

As of Monday evening, there was no immediate response from the ruling TDP to the allegations levelled by the YSRCP. Police authorities also did not issue a detailed clarification on the opposition’s claims, including the allegation that an FIR had been registered against the deceased.

The case is likely to intensify political debate in Andhra Pradesh in the coming days, especially if the YSRCP follows through on its plan to move the High Court and escalate protests. For now, the party has positioned the issue as a test of the state government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the protection of Dalit rights, while accusing the administration of failing on all three counts.