TRS to block national, state highways on Dec 29

Hyderabad, Dec 26 (UNI) Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS) senior leader and former Union Minister A Narendra today said the party would block state and national highways on December 29, to press the demand for nine-hour power supply to the agricultural sector in the backward Telangana region.

Addressing the press here, Mr Narendra said the TRS was organising a massive agitation in protest against the government's 'indifferent attitude' to solving the farmers plight, by blocking Rajiv Rahadari, connecting national and state highways, covering 250 km, from 1000 hours to 1800 hours.

Around 2.5 lakh farmers would participate in the agitation.

Alleging the Congress government had failed to fulfil election promise of supplying 12 hour uninterrupted power immediately after coming to power, he said the government has failed to supply even seven hour quality power to farmers.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy said the government had been taking all steps to protect the interests of farmers by supplying seven hour uninterrupted power supply to the agricultural sector. He also urged farmers to cooperate with the government in its efforts to mitigate their sufferings.

Stating that all reservoirs were full owing to the recent heavy rains, Mr Narendra said the government was not taking steps to generate power at Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam Hydel stations and the TRS would intensify the struggle if the government did not respond.

Mr Reddy, who was addressing newspersons also said the government would take all steps to safeguard public property in the wake of threatened blockade of the national highway by the TRS and other opposition parties.

Addressing a press meet here, he said the opposition parties could stage dharnas in a democratic manner without creating trouble to public property and to the people.

The government would not be a spectator and action would be taken against those indulging in violence, Mr Redddy emphasised.

UNI BR AKJ VV1710