TRS legislators continue protest in assembly

HYDERABAD - Demanding withdrawal of cases against students during the Telangana agitation, legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) Friday night continued their protest in the state legislative assembly, hours after the house was adjourned amid pandemonium on the issue.

All 11 legislators of the party remained seated inside the assembly Friday night and vowed not to leave the building unless the government withdraws the cases against the students.

TRS activists staged a candle-light protest at Gun Park, opposite the state assembly, Friday evening. Led by Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman M. Kodandaram, they tried to march towards the assembly but were stopped by the police.

In the afternoon the assembly was adjourned for the day as the TRS stalled the proceedings demanding the government make a statement withdrawing the cases.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said the government would have to follow a procedure while withdrawing the cases. He said legal opinion would also be taken as the government could face problems if its move was challenged in court.

Earlier, Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy told the house that the government was contemplating to withdraw cases against students in all the regions.

The issue rocked the house on the first day of the winter session. The deputy speaker had to adjourn the house thrice and finally for the day as unsatisfied with the government’s response TRS continued to stall the proceedings. The house could not transact any business.

TRS leader E. Rajender alleged that 80 to 100 cases were booked against each student who participated in the Telangana movement late last year and early this year. He said despite Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement on Dec 9 last year, cases were not withdrawn.

Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of all other opposition parties also urged the government to withdraw the cases.

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded withdrawal of cases booked against Muslim youth and students during communal riots and in the case relating to the blast at the historic Mecca Masjid.