Hyderabad, September 23: Tension prevailed for several hours at Koti circle when a Telangana activist climbed a hoarding and threatened to commit suicide if the Ministers from Telganana do not resign immediately.
The youth, identified as Srinivas, 24, hails from Manchiryala mandal in Adilabad district. He climbed on a 30-feet tall hoarding near Women’s College at Koti at about 10 am. He called up the news channels from his cell phone threatening that he would commit suicide if the Telangana ministers do not submit their resignations for the cause of Telangana and join the general strike.
Srinivas also demanded an assurance from the Congress and TDP leaders from the Telangana region that they would resign from their posts for Telangana.
Srinivas who came along with his friends to the State capital to attend the Group-1 competitive exams was disgusted after learning about their postponement. In desperation, he climbed up the hoarding raising pro-Telangana slogans. He warned that he would jump to death if anyone attempts to bring him down.
Several leaders including Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Prof M Kodandaram, TRS MLA T Harish Rao, balladeer Gadar, BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreyya tried in vain to persuade Srinivas to come down. He did not even listen to his parents’ plea.
A large number of people gathered at Koti to witness the incident. Some Telangana activists also damaged half-a-dozen RTC buses around Koti area. A large contingent of security personnel was deployed in the area. A fire tender and ambulances were also called at the spot. Sensing trouble, the business community downed shutters in Abids, Sultan Bazaar and surrounding areas.
The policemen breathed a sigh of relief when Srinivas came down at about 8.45 pm. He was immediately taken into custody by the police. (INN)