TRS bandh turns violent
Sporadic violence hit Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana region on the first day of the 48-hour bandh called by TRS, with protestors damaging bank ATMs, torching a hotel and indulging in vandalism to press for their demand for a separate state.
Life came to a grinding halt as the day coincided with the anniversary of Babri mosque demolition, which is observed as 'black day' by various groups.
A youth jumped to death from atop a water reservoir in Warangal demanding formation of Telangana state, officials said. In Karimnagar district, Telangana supporters detained Hyderabad-bound Bhagyanagar express while road blockades were also reported from other parts of the region.
In Hyderabad, the protestors damaged two bank ATMs - one of Andhra bank and another of Axis bank - at Ramanthapur, police said, adding they also set afire a hotel at L.B. Nagar.
Armed police pickets have been posted in the twin cities while prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC have been clamped in several major towns of Telangana.
Scores of passengers were stranded on the roads as the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) cancelled services in view of the shutdown that began in the wee hours.
The streets of the state capital wore a deserted look as shops remained closed. Agitators went on a rampage throwing stones at the Punjagutta and Ameerpet localities of the city.
Meanwhile, the condition of TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who is on a fast for the last seven days demanding a separate Telangana state, remained "stable".
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It's good to have a separate state. However we do not have the same trust now on any politician, we do not want to give powers to any people who can bring this political terrorism anytime they want. We civilians want peace. Look at now our city, which got a very good name for its peaceful atmosphere, after the bandhs from last week. All I hope that things get back to normal.
It is very sad to hear of the inept handling of the situation by the government. The government should have the students vacate Osmania and other university hostels and bring the situation under control. It is sad to see the so-called educated students take to violent protests damaging public and private property. They should know that if separate Telangana is really the desire of the majority of the people it should happen through normal political processes. If TRS believes there is widespread support they should strive to gain political power through votes, not by pelting stones like hooligans. In a civilised society important decisions are made by using demoratic non-violent methods. Those decisions cannot be made by threats and violent acts of a few thousands. The government should handle the stir very firmly. If this situation is not brought under control very soon the city economy will be affected and jobs of all the people including those related to the students agitating will be in jeopardy.
As regards the case in the High Court regarding the closure of colleges, the government should take the position that to maintain law and order it is necessary to close the colleges and have the students go home. Maitaining order is of outmost importance.
Expressing my deep grief over the death of youth in Warangal, I request all my Telangana berthens to come together. No matter to which political party you belong, please support separate Telangana state. At least for now the nationalist parties should come up in support of Telangana statehood. We cannot be deprrived of our rights any more. We need a separate state.
What are the possible benefits? Who suffers and who benefits? When I can buy a property in Delhi or UP or Bengaluru, what prevents any Indian from settling in Telangana when it is formed? We invite international enterprenuers to set up businesses, and say people of another district or state are taking away opportunities... it is just either narrow minded attitude or selfish political stand. What is the reason to split the states further? It's time India is consolidating with cosmopolitan metros. It's strange, so many people can be mislead.
The problem is not with people from other regions settling in Telangana. Its about the extent to which resources/jobs/people are being exploited for almost 60 years now. The injustice being done to Telangana in the form of allocating water, building universities, allocating jobs etc is reason enough to demand a seperate state. There are statistics that prove the same and anybody who poses a question like yours should get their facts straight before coming to conclusions. You ask about benefits ???? Ya right... as if we've been benefited by staying together for 60+ years.
I don't understand why government is not taking any action. Anti social elements destroying private and public property. Government should take concrete action and not let them have free reign.
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