Violence mars 'Telangana March' in Hyderabad

Tension gripped Hyderabad as violent clashes broke out between pro-Telangana supporters and the police in several parts of the city when the activists defied prohibitory orders and joined the 'Telangana march' in a massive show of solidarity for a separate state.

Violating prohibitory orders, the Telangana supporters headed towards the Necklace Road at Hussain Sagar lake, the venue of the event, and clashed with security personnel on their way.

Incidents of violence were reported from the Osmania University campus, Khairatabad and the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat.

When they were stopped from passing by the Secretariat road and some other areas where prohibitory orders were in place, the protesters pelted stones and tried to remove the barricades which prompted the security personnel to lob tear gas shells after trying to chase them away.

"Protesters were directionless on their way towards the venue. They tried to proceed through prohibited areas," Director General (law and order) S A Huda said.

"We have been monitoring the situation. It is tense but under control," he said.

The protesters torched two police vehicles at People's

Plaza on the Necklace Road, police said.

Violence erupted on the Osmania University campus here after pro-Telangana students clashed with police when they were prevented from taking out a rally to join the 'Telangana March'.

Police used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells on pro-Telangana supporters near the venue as some of them allegedly tried to defy the orders and proceeded towards the Secretariat.

Permission was granted to organise the 'Telangana March' from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Necklace Road, after talks were held between the government and the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC).

Roads leading to the Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office and other high security areas were barricaded.

In Osmania University, a large number of slogan-shouting students were seen breaking barricades on the campus. They pelted stones at policemen, who retaliated by firing tear-gas shells. Some students were also taken into preventive custody.

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