Varsity lathicharge: Opposition forces adjournment

Hyderabad, Mar 16: Andhra Pradesh assembly was abruptly adjourned for the day, after the opposition stalled proceedings in protest against the alleged lathicharge by the police during Holi celebrations in the Osmania University campus.

After two adjournments, Speaker K R Suresh Reddy informed the agitated opposition party members, who continued to remain in the well of the House, that Home Minister Jana Reddy would make a statement later in the day, and asked them to resume their seats.

But TRS members, supported by the TDP, continued their protest, raising slogans against alleged ''police excesses''.

The Speaker announced that demands for grants for various departments, including Information Technology, were deeemed to have been moved amid bedlam and adjourned the House for the day as his repeated appeals fell on deaf ears.

Earlier, floor leaders of various opposition parties, including Leader of the opposition N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the police action on ''intellectuals'' and demanded immediate suspension of the Circle Inspector and the Sub-Inspector concerned.

The Home Minister and Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah urged the members of the opposition parties to wait for the statement before pressing for any action.

Home Minister K Jana Reddy offered to make a statement before 1330 hrs when the House was slated to adjourn for the day. At this point, BJP Floor Leader Kishen Reddy said police resorted to lathicharge and roughed up University professors without any provocation and sought the suspension of the concerned Inspector and Sub Inspector for the incident.

Intervening, Finance Minister K Rosiah asserted the Government had no intention to save any one who had erred and assured the agitated members that the Home Minister would make a statement before the House adjourned for the day.

The Speaker also informed the members that the Home Minister had already called for a meeting of top police officers and the statement was being prepared. It would take some time to print and be circulated it to the members.

However, TRS members continued to remain in the well and shout slogans. TRS member T Harish Rao was seen arguing with the Speaker.

Mr Jana Reddy said while he was offering to make a statement in an hour, the TRS was trying to dictate terms and asked at least other opposition parties to understand the situation and restore order.

Speaker Suresh Reddy said, the Government, which initially offered to make the statement tomorrow had agreed to make it today itself and urged the members to allow the House to resume business.

When the TRS members continued to block the proceedings of the House, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

UNI