The AP High Court surroundings once again turned into a high tension zone on Wednesday with advocates from Telangana and Seemandhra regions vied with each other to voice their support and opposition respectively over bifurcation of the state.
After the clash between the advocates of both the regions on Friday last, the police arrested them and prevented the situation from taking a serious turn. However, the arrested advocates were released yesterday consequent to a petition filed in the court.
The Chief Justice of the High Court had also convened a meeting of the advocates of both the regions and advised for restraint on both sides and not to make the court a venue for them to settle scores on the bifurcation issue. However, the advocates seem to have thrown to the winds the advice of the court within 24 hours.
Resenting against the attitude of the Seemandhra advocates, the Telangana Advocates JAC had asked the advocates in the 10 districts of the region to boycott courts besides giving a call for “ Chalo High Court”. The Seemandhra advocates on their part decided to form a human chain in the area around the court premises opposing bifurcation of the state.
Taking cognizance of the volatile situation prevailing among the advocates of the two regions and to prevent breach of law and order, the police imposed Section 144 in an around the High Court premises prohibiting assembling of four or more persons, holding rallies or dharnas etc. without prior permission. The police also imposed restrictions on any media conferences in the premises.
The Telangana advocates in response to the call given by the JAC boycotted courts and tried to proceed to the High Court to disrupt the attempt of the Seemandhra advocates to organize a human chain. The police made heavy security measures in the area and allowed advocates of Seemandhra region only after verifying their identity since the T advocates had decided to boycott work today.
However when some Telangana advocates arrived in their cars and tried to proceeding towards the High Court building were stopped by the police and barred from entering the premises. The T advocates stoutly protested at the police action and picked up an argument with them. However, the police physically dragged the T advocates and pushed them in a police vehicle and whisked them away.
The police also foiled the attempts of the Seemandhra advocates from holding a human chain in and around the High Court premises.(NSS).