Despite the initial build-up, the TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, was arrested without much fuss by the police before he could begin his fast-unto-death for Telangana statehood on Sunday morning.
Police intercepted the convoy of Mr Rao at Alaganur crossroads, about 55 km from Siddipet town where he was scheduled to begin his fast. He sat down on the road, and was bodily lifted into a police vehicle and taken to Khamman, where he was remanded by a court to 15 days judicial custody and sent to the district jail.
He vowed to continue his fast in prison, but police said it had not received any intimation. The TRS chief protested that he was given ‘C’ class status in jail, though he is a VIP. A team of doctors found him in good health.
The TRS has called for a bandh in the region on Monday to protest the arrest. All schools and colleges in the city will remain closed on Monday. Osmania University has closed all its campus colleges except the College of Engineering till December 3.
The arrest triggered isolated incidents of violence in the region, most seriously in Osmania University where 20 students were injured in a police lathicharge. Students staged protests in other universities in Telangana region.
At LB Nagar in the city, a physiotherapy student set himself on fire after hearing of Mr Rao’s arrest. The fire was doused and he was taken to hospital where he is said to be recovering.
Power supply was cut off at several places in Telangana to prevent viewing of the post-arrest incidents on television.
The state home minister, Ms Sabita Indra Reddy, said Mr Rao’s fast was prevented on health grounds as he had undergone surgery recently. Police also anticipated a law and order problem if the fast was allowed to continue. She appealed for calm.
The DGP Mr R.R. Girish Kumar, ordered police to be alert as government employees, students and other supporters of a statehood for Telangana could take to the streets in a show of solidarity.
At Siddipet, Mr Rao’s nephew, Mr T. Harish Rao and several TRS activists armed with petrol bottles sat on fast till 11.30 am, when poice broke up the camp. a vowed to continue the fast.
Mr Harish Rao shouted, “Petrol ekkadundi, petrol ekkadundi! (Where is the petrol).” An activist handed him a bottle which he upturned on himself but the police stopped him from going any further. He was arrested and produced before a Medak court.
Meanwhile, Mr Chandrashekar Rao was produced before a magistrate in Khammam and was sent to 14 days judicial remand. The Khammam police has booked cases against him and other leaders under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy against the state), 153A, (non-bailable case for trying to create enmity between people), and 505(2) (instigating hatred and ill-will).
Cases have also been booked under Sections 143 and 117 for unlawful assembly of more than 10 persons, 506, criminal intimidation, and Section 188 for violation of the Police Act.
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