Student commits suicide for creation of Telangana in Osmania varsity

HYDERABAD - Tension prevailed in Osmania University on Tuesday, as a student committed suicide the early morning in support of the demand for a separate Telangana state to be carved out from Andhra Pradesh.

K. Venugopal Reddy, 27, was a student of Master of Computer Applications (MCA) immolated himself in the early hours on Tuesday by pouring kerosene.

Officials found his charred body in the Osmania campus.

Police have recovered a note addressed to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi demanding immediate bifurcation of the State.

Venugopal’s suicide triggered protests at the Osmania campus with students and teachers staging a protest on the campus.

Students of all varsities in the Telangana region boycotted examinations and classes.

Venugopal’s family said he sacrificed his life for the Telangana movement.

“The reason is very clear why he (Venu Gopal) committed suicide…he committed suicide in the campus which is very near to the arts college and where he usually came, every evening he (used to) come here and discuss with friends (who) participated in the moment and the “Mahagajarana” (a pro Telangana Rally) and on December 9th that special Vijay Yatra (victory procession) and everything”, said, Srinivas Reddy, the younger brother of the deceased.

Family friends said that the deceased was deeply involved with the Telangana movement.

“He was always fighting for Telangana, he want Telangana and he committed suicide for Telangana,” added Murali Krishna Reddy, a family friend of the deceased.

Union Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram had announced on December 9 that the process to carve the Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh, home to several major international companies, would be initiated.

Pro-Telangana activists have been agitating since December 23, after the central government went back on its promise saying more consultations were required with all parties of Andhra Pradesh.

The agitations have resulted in series of violent incidents in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as some other parts of the state.

The Telangana region is spread over 10 northern districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Political analysts feel that creation of the new state of Telangana may fuel social unrest and separatist demands in other states. (ANI)