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Hyderabad: Oppn parties angry over lathicharge

Some protesters who were injured during the lathi-charge vented their anger against the police and the way they are treated by the state govt.

Hyderabad: Unhappy at being subjected to lathi-charge and tear gas and stopped from entering Tank Bund, the target of their Million March programme, the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees alleged that their issue could have been easily sorted out if Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wanted, but he did not intend to hold talks with the Joint Action Committee (JAC).

An RTC employee who was at the protest site alleged, “Instead of spending hours with officials in review meetings, why can’t KCR spend a few hours to discuss the RTC issues with the JAC? Our issues could have been sorted out quickly but he did not want it.”

Some protesters who were injured during the lathi-charge vented their anger against the police and the way they are treated by the state government.

“We are not from Pakistan and we are not demanding anyone's property. We only wanted to hold a peaceful rally and did not indulge in any violence. Still, we were detained and beaten during the lathi-charge,” said a protester.

The RTC employees had another grouse. They said that the state government generally gives Rs 20,000 to the bereaved family to perform the final rites in case of the death of an RTC employee. But, after the RTC strike, the families of none of the striking employees who died in the last 36 days had received a single penny, they alleged.

Telangana Jana Samiti leader Prof. M. Kodandaram, who is a veteran of the first Million March held during the statehood agitation, said, “Resorting to lathi-charge on the RTC employees is undemocratic. The detentions carried out by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government are more than those that took place during the Telangana movement, which shows the dictatorship of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.”

Condemning the lathi-charge, Congress Legislative Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said, “Monarchy does not have room in Telangana state. It is shameful that the police is used against the state’s RTC employees. Detention and house arrest of Congress leaders show the chief minister’s insecurity.”

He said the party leaders would meet on Sunday to decide on their future course of action.

Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar said, “The success of the Million March marks the beginning of the end of the power of KCR. The determination of the RTC employees to march towards Tank Bund despite the lathi-charge shows their commitment and courage. They are fighting for their rights.”

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