Telangana agitation loosing steam? CM talks tough

Hyderabad, Oct 11: With the agitation for the separate state of Telangana still steaming ahead in full force, the Centre still seem to be undecided on the next course of action even when the state has come to a complete standstill over the rising anger and frustration of those demanding a separate state.

But the agitation seem to be loosing steam after it entered the 28th day, with a section of employees of the state-run Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APRTC) returning to work after striking since the last few days. The same attitude prevailed when train services functioned normally in spite of the three-day rail blockade declared by T-agitators from Oct 12-14.

With the uneasiness in Hyderabad growing, the Andhra Pradesh CM N. Kiran Kumar Reddy seem to be taking a tough stand and said that any attempt to break the law and order in the state would be dealt with harshly. Senior Telangana leader M. Kodandaram was arrested keeping up with the tough stand.

In a further instance of the agitation loosing its power, leaders of the National Mazdoor Union (NMU) announced that they were calling off the strike after taking in lieu the inconvenience caused to the public. The union represents 60,000 APRTC employees in Telangana. A total of 10,000 APRTC buses remained off the roads in Hyderabad and nine other districts on Monday.

Andhra CM Reddy issuing a stern warning said that protestors will be dealt with harshly especially those intending to disrupt coal production, transport services and educational institutions. This comes when Kodandaram and other JAC leaders were headed towards state-owned mine at Singareni Collieries where employees were striking on Sunday. This strike in the coal mines have impacted coal production thereby affecting electricity supplies in Andhra Pradesh and some neighboring states.

OneIndia News