Andhra Pradesh Police on Saturday placed writer and social activist Kancha Ilaiah under house arrest in Tarnaka, IANS reported. A team of police personnel from the forces in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were deployed to prevent him from leaving for Vijayawada to address a public meeting.

On Friday, police officials told Ilaiah that prohibitory orders have been imposed in Vijayawada because organising a rally or a meeting in the city could create law and order problems.

The Dalit writer alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government was resorting to undemocratic methods, IANS reported. He said there was a grave threat to freedom of speech and expression in the state.