Protest called off as Govt agrees for all-party meet

Hyderabad, Nov 27 (UNI) Physically-challenged youth, under the leadership of Dalit outfit Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) President M Krishna Madiga, today called off their two-day-old agitation after the Andhra Pradesh Government agreed to convene an all-party meeting on December two to look into their demands.

Flanked by CPI leader K Ramakrishna and CPI(M) leader Y V Rao, the Dalit leader claimed it a ''moral victory'' for the physically-challenged people, whose demands, including hike in monthly pension to Rs 1500 as in Puducherry, got recognition from both the ruling Congress and the opposition parties.

Earlier, vehicular traffic on the busy Basheerbagh area was diverted as the agitators continued yesterday's protest in front of the Babu Jagjeevanram statue. A strong contingent of police was posted in the area to prevent any untoward incident.

Minister for Welfare of Disabled N Rajyalakshmi and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud came to the fasting venue and had assured the agitators that the Government would consider their demand ''sympathetically''.

UNI