Agitation demanding IIT branch intensified

Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh, Dec 27: Tension prevailed in Basara town in this district today as a 'rasta roko' stir by All-Party Committee, demanding setting up of an IIT branch there, following sanction by the Centre, turned violent.

The Committee, formed to demand shifting of the proposed IIT from Medak district to Basara, resorted to the agitation and hurled stones on the police, forcing them to resort to lathicharge, in which ten persons, including some students were injured.

The Centre had sanctioned one of the three IITs to be established to Andhra Pradesh. However, it had stipulated certain conditions for setting up the IIT, including provision of around 500 to 600 acres of land free of cost, basic infrastructure and rail and air connectivity.

The State Assembly had passed three resolutions urging the Centre to locate the IIT at Basara, which houses the ancient Saraswati temple. After careful examination, the government had decided to establsh the Institute in the Backward Medak district in the the Telangana region due to its proximity to the state capital as well as air connectivity and other infrastructure facilities.

In the just-concluded winter session of the state assembly, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had announced that Patancheru in Medak district was chosen for opening the IIT, as air connectivity was essential as the faculty would be visiting Institutes abroad.

Soon after the announcement was made, an All-Party Committee was formed to demand the shifting of the proposed IIT to Basara as promised earlier.

The Committee has been agitating for a week. Some of the protestors had also resorted to hunger strike while two of them went on fast-unto-death.

The Committee has also given a Bandh call in Basara town tomorrow.

A strong contingent of police force was posted in the town in view of the agitation.

UNI