TJAC to go ahead with “Rally” in City limits, Police warn students

The TJAC headed by Prof. M. Kodandaram seemed determined for a confrontation with the TRS Government as it decided to go ahead with its proposed “Unemployment Rally” within the city limits as scheduled on Wednesday, contrary to the orders of the court and the police authorities permitting the same on the city outskirts.

Earlier in the afternoon, the High Court granted conditional permission to the TJAC to organize its rally on the outskirts of the city in the Metro Rail Grounds at Nagole from 11am to 3pm after the police refused permission for holding the rally either at Osmania University Campus or Nizam College grounds. The police claimed that permission was denied after the Vice-Chancellor had refused to allow the rally to take place on the OU campus or Nizam College grounds.

After the conditional permission granted by the court to hold the rally on the city outskirts Nagole, the TJAC Steering Committee, under chairmanship of Prof  Kodandaram deliberated the issue at length and decided to go ahead with the rally in the city and also hold protest meeting at Indra Park as was planned earlier.

Prof. Kodandaram expressed his anguish and surprise at the claim of the police authorities that the rally would pose a law and order problem by citing examples of earlier similar programs organized during the Telangana movement. He ridiculed the police for branding the TJAC members as extremist elements when the same members had participated for the cause separate Telangana.

Lashing out at the TRS Government for its undemocratic policies and autocratic actions, Prof. Kodandaram said the government had not even bothered to discuss the unemployment issue with the TJAC and instead was trying to crush the voice of the unemployed youth, who were deceived and denied jobs after sacrificing their career for separate Telangana State by taking part in the agitation. Pointing out that hundreds of youth and students were taken into custody while they were on their way to participate in the rally, he said come what may, they would organize the rally even if prevented and taken into custody by the police. “We will orgamze the rally and protest in a peaceful and democratic manner.

DCP Central Zone D. Joel Davis on Tuesday informed that there was no permission for rally or public meeting at Hyderabad tomorrow for the call given by TJAC.  The same information was shared to District SPs and Commissioners, he said.

“I appeal to all the people, not to come to Indira Park.  Since prohibitory orders are in place, legal action will be taken in case of any violation.  I appeal to all the students not to come to Hyderabad and legal action will be taken in case of any violation.  This will affect your future and job prospects,” the DCP said.

The DCP informed that on February 1st, TJAC Spokesperson G. Venkat Reddy had applied for seeking permission to take out a ‘rally to demand employment’ from Sundaraiah Vignan Kedndram to Indira Park followed by ‘Public Meeting’ at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park, Hyderabad on February 22 with a gathering of 1000-1500 unemployed youth.

Subsequently, he said when the police enquired about the exact number of participants, Venkat Reddy gave second application on February 15 saying that the number of participants in the rally is likely to increase from earlier estimation.

(NSS)