Andhra Pradesh on boil as TRS 48-hour shutdown commences

HYDERABAD - There was immense protest at Osmania University on Thursday during the 48-hour shutdown called by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which is spearheading the movement for the creation of a Telangana state.

The police had to use tear gas to disperse the mob. The protestors were even lathi-charged by the police later.

The Centre has put on hold the Telangana issue at present.

The MPs and MLAs belonging to the Telangana region have begun to tender their resignations. Eleven MPs belonging to the Telangana region resigned from the Lok Sabha on Thursday in protest over the issue.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had made a brief statement on Wednesday night saying wide ranging consultations would be held to come out with a final solution on Telangana.

Displeased over Chidambaram’s statements, the eleven MPs met at the Andhra Bhavan to decide upon their strategy. Chidambaram had earlier on December 9 assured the people belonging to the Telangana region that talks are on for the formation of the Telangana state.

Additional police reinforcements have been called in to control the situation arising out of the shutdown.

On Wednesday night, after protests erupted near Osmania University and in the other different towns of the region, the situation in the Telangana region, Hyderabad and nine other districts was at boiling point.

The police had to immediately rush to the area near the Osmania University campus to disperse the mob, as protestors threw stones at RTC and private buses plying near the campus.

Students blocked roads and took to streets shouting ‘Jai Telangana’ slogans.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chadrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Wednesday criticised the Central Government for backing out from its promises. An angry KCR said, “All public representatives from the Telangana region will resign by noon tomorrow.”

Condemning the Centre for taking such a stand, KCR and TRS MP Vijayshanti have resigned from the Lok Sabha in protest.

Ten TRS MLAs have also tendered their resignations to the Speaker. The resignation drama is expected to continue on Thursday with all TRS representatives from MPs to village sarpanchs deciding to resign.

In protest, 30 legislators belonging to Congress, TRS, Telegu Desam Party (TDP) and Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party have also submitted their resignations.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Mahbubnagar - till January 1, following Wednesday’s incidents of protest near Osmania University and the other areas. (ANI)