This is the scenario on the second day of the two-day bandh in all the 10 districts of Telangana in response to the call given by the TJAC demanding an early decision on separate state. Except for sporadic incidents like setting on fire two buses belonging to an engineering college in Hayathnagar and eruption of violence in the OU Campus, the bandh passed off peacefully.
However once again the Osmania University campus became a hub for violence with the students and police engaged in pitched battle leading to lobbing of scores of teargas shells. Some students and policemen were injured in the lasthi charge and stone pelnting.
While a curfew-like situation prevailed in the towns and villages where the roads and streets wore a deserted look and normal life came to a standstill, the scenario in the twin cities was a little different with shopkeepers doing business with half closed shutters.
With the RTC buses completely off the roads and only few autos plying, the normal hustle-bustle on the main through fares was absent as the denizens preferred to remain indoors. The incessant rains in many parts of the region following a depression in the Bay also forced the people not venture out.
As a matter of fact the intermittent rains in the state capital in a way brought a relief to the security and police personnel as it prevented the Telangana agitators to come in large numbers on to streets. However, all the precautionary and security arrangements were in full swing to nip in the bud any law and order situation in view of the rally planned by the student community.
The Osmania University Students JAC in pursuance of their demand deletion of 14 f clause from the Presidential order have programmed to take out a massive rally from the university campus to Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park despite the police imposing Section 144 all over the state capital.
The OU Campus, which has been the nerve-Centre of student agitation for separate Telangana, has been turned into fortress with heavy deployment of police and para military forces since yesterday. After yesterday’s violent incidents and keeping in view the students rally, additional police forces were deployed in and around the campus. The police even sealed the two main entry gates to prevent the students from moving out in view of the prohibitory orders.
With the students hell bent to take out their rally and the police determined to thwart their attempts, a tense situation prevailed in the area. The news about Prof, Kodandaram’s arrest at RTC Cross Roads while he was on his way to the OU Campus further incensed the mood of the students who had assembled in large numbers to begin their rally.
Meanwhile the police arrested groups of students who tried to assemble at the Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Clock Tower in Secunderabad. They also dispersed students planning to proceed towards OU Campus and towards Gun Park.
The lone CPM legislator Mr. Julakanti Ranga Reddy became the target of attack for refusing submit his resignation. Telangana agitators raided his house in Nalgonda this morning but were dispersed by the police personnel who were posted in large numbers. Heavy bandobust was also made at the residences of city ministers Mr. Danam Nagender and Mr. Mukesh Goud who did not fall in line with those who had resigned.
