TRS calls for 48-hour shutdown as Centre puts Telangana on hold

Hyderabad, Dec 24 (ANI): The situation in Andhra Pradesh has tensed up again after the Central Government put on hold its decision to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana State. In response, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which is leading the movement for a separate State of Telangana has called for a 48-hour shutdown beginning Thursday.

Additional police reinforcements have been called in to control the situation arising out of the shutdown.

On Wednesday night, after protests erupted near Osmania University and in the other different towns of the region, the situation in the Telangana region, Hyderabad and nine other districts was at boiling point.

The police had to immediately rush to the area near the Osmania University campus to disperse the mob, as protestors threw stones at RTC and private buses plying near the campus.

Students blocked roads and took to streets shouting 'Jai Telangana' slogans.

Home Minister P Chidambaram made a brief statement on Wednesday night saying wide ranging consultations would be held to come out with a final solution on Telangana.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chadrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Wednesday criticised the Central Government for backing out from its promises. An angry KCR said, "All public representatives from the Telangana region will resign by noon tomorrow."

Condemning the Centre for taking such a stand, KCR and TRS MP Vijayshanti have resigned from the Lok Sabha in protest.

Ten TRS MLAs have also tendered their resignations to the Speaker. The resignation drama is expected to continue on Thursday with all TRS representatives from MPs to village sarpanchs deciding to resign between 11 am and 12 noon.

In protest, 30 legislators belonging to Congress, TRS, Telegu Desam Party (TDP) and Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party have also submitted their resignations.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Mahbubnagar - till January 1, following Wednesday's incidents of protest near Osmania University and the other areas. (ANI)