Tension in Rajahmundry; suicide bid to press for demands

Rajahmundry, May 30 (UNI) High drama prevailed for over three hours at Shyamala Centre here today when Andhra Rashtra Samiti East Godavari district Convener J T Rama Rao climbed atop a telecom tower and threatened to commit suicide by jumping.

Mr Rao was demanding that G.O 622 be withdrawn and the Tagore Hariprasad physically and mentally retarded centre be opened. He sought an assurance from the District Collector and Member of Parliament on the subject.

Some physically and mentally retarded persons also staged a dharna at the centre, bringing vehicular traffic to a grinding halt.

Tahsildar K Narasimha Murthy and other officials asked Mr Rao to come down from the tower, assuring him that a report based on his demands would be sent to the Government through the Collector.

Following the assurance, Mr Rao alighted from the tower, after which he was taken into custody.

UNI