Hyderabad, December 05: When Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President K Chandrashekar Rao declared a fast unto death on November 29 demanding separate statehood for the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, support poured onto the street.
TRS activists went on a rampage, burning buses and damaging public property. More than five days later, a TRS activist Kasoju Srikanth Chary succumbed to his burns after immolating himself in support of Chandrashekar Rao.
Rao is, meanwhile, admitted in a government hospital in Hyderabad and is being administered saline. Doctors say his health condition remains stable.
Student groups supporting the Telangana statehood movement say they will continue the agitation.
“Students will continue the agitation. The government is trying to snub the movement. This will not happen,” says a student activist.
But the twist in the tale seems to be the bifurcation of the movement with student unions choosing to go ahead without supporting any political party.
In fact, universities in 10 districts of Telangana region have seen massive student protests and rallies.
Apprehending exploitation of the situation by anti-social elements Andhra Pradesh government has decided to shut down colleges in Telangana for a fortnight along with heavy deployment of police around the campuses.
While the Congress is facing flak for not delivering on its promise on separate Telangana Andhra Chief Minister K Rosaiah has made it clear that the decision now lies with the Congress high command.
A no entry sign put up for the police personnel by the university students is an indication of just how much tensions are simmering inside the campuses. Even as the government downplays the political agitation and tries to restrict student participation, it seems this time, the students are not willing to listen.
-Agencies