Telangana report: Security tightened as parties raise heat

Heavy security was deployed in Hyderabad,Karimnagar,Warangal,Medak and Nizamabad districts in Telangana,and Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam city in Coastal Andhra,where the administration expects trouble as the state waits for the contents of the report that will be made public on January 6.

Over 9,000 police personnel,including AP Police Force,AP Special Police,50 companies of central paramilitary forces comprising CISF,CRPF,and BSF personnel have been deployed in all the three regions Andhra,Telangana and Rayalaseema. Strict instructions have been issued to the police to exercise restraint and only use non-lethal weapons against protestors.

Telangana Joint Action Committees comprising students and local political leaders have threatened to start indefinite hunger strikes and launch agitations across the region if the Centre delays a decision.

People took out processions in Karimnagar and Warangal,lauding the Srikrishna Committee for submitting its report on time,but at the same time warned that it should be in favour of a Telangana state.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti,which is heading the agitation,raised the heat on Thursday,saying irrespective of the reports contents the Centre must table a Bill in Parliament to create a separate state.

Irrespective of what Srikrishna committee report says,the Central government should table a Bill in the coming session of Parliament. We will not tolerate anything less. The Centre must stick to its assurance given by Home Minister P Chidambaram, said K Tarakarama Rao,TRS MLA and son of TRS leader K Chandrasekhara Rao.

In Hyderabad,police and paramilitary forces tightened security around vital installations. IT firms have been provided special protection.

We have taken adequate precautions to maintain law and order. We are prepared to face possible protests, State Director General of Police K Aravinda Rao said.

Rao said the police are prepared to face any kind of protests. We are concentrating on a few areas where people are provoked easily, he said.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and APCC chief D Srinivas,meanwhile,held discussions to chose representatives to participate in the eight-party meeting with Chidambaram to discuss the Srikrishna report.

The Congress and the Telugu Desam Party are likely to send representatives from Telangana as well as Coastal districts.