Telangana move sparks protests in other regions

According to reports, an MBA student committed suicide in the south coastal town of Guntur while a home guard tried to end his life in the north coastal city of Visakhapatnam, both of them apparently depressed by the decision to divide the state.

Organisations opposed to the bifurcation took out protest rallies and staged demonstrations across the two regions, demanding that the UPA drop the move and keep the state united. The protesters squatted on the roads and prevented plying of buses operated by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in various places. Following sporadic incidents of violence in various towns, the corporation decided to suspend its operations in the two regions.

Following the decision to bifurcate the state, heavy security arrangements have been put in place in the two regions. In addition to state police, central paramilitary forces have also been deployed in large numbers in the two regions to ensure law and order is maintained.

Meanwhile, main opposition Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu, addressing the media in Hyderabad, demanded that the UPA government should immediately set up an experts’ committee to assess the quantum of funds required to develop a new capital city for Andhra and Rayalaseema.

Stating that a staggering Rs four to five lakh crore was required to build and develop a new capital with all necessary infrastructure in place, he said the new capital should be on par with Hyderabad at all levels and on all aspects.

“The centre should provide full monetary support for building the new capital, and should also ensure that a number of Public Sector Undertaking, research institutes and premier educational institutions are set up for the people of the other two regions. Several such institutions have been set up in Hyderabad and it necessary that the government takes steps to establish similar facilities in Andhra and Rayalaseema so that employment opportunities are available for the people of these regions,” he said.

The leader of Opposition in the State Assembly also demanded that the Centre address issues relating to sharing of river waters, electricity and revenue. “It’s not enough to merely announce bifurcation of the state and then wash your hands off. The centre will have to address various issues that will arise on account of the division well in time,” he said.

In a twist to the capital issue, Congress lawmakers from Rayalaseema region demanded that the Andhra capital should be located in their region after the division in view of the area’s backwardness. “Earlier, Kurnool was the capital of Andhra state, but we sacrificed it for Hyderabad, which is now well developed. We are demanding that the capital should be in Rayalaseema because we had sacrificed earlier,” State Law Minister E Pratap Reddy told mediapersons after a meeting of ministers and MLAs from Rayalaseema region. Stating that Rayalaseema accounted for the highest number of drought-hit revenue divisions, he also expressed concern over Rayalaseema’s share of water after the division of the state. “Unless the package for Rayalaseema is clearly defined, we will not accept the division,” he said.

In Hyderabad, MIM president said that while his party accepts the decision taken by UPA, there were apprehensions that communal forces would gain strength in the new state of Telangana.

Demanding that Urdu should be made first language in Telangana along with Telugu, the Hyderabad MP said its status as second language should be continued in Andhra. — news@khaleejtimes.com