Chalo Assembly Police Blockades Cripple Heart Of City

Normal life slowed down in the Telangana region on Friday, with the state police and government going all out to foil the "Chalo Assembly" rally proposed to be held by the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee.

The multi-level security cover to prevent the entry of pro-Telangana activists near the State Legislative Assembly crippled the movement of common people in the vicinity in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

By setting up over 75 check-posts on the city's outskirts, the police had prevented the entry of private vehicles into the city since Thursday itself.

Further, the movement of vehicular traffic on the roads leading to the Assembly near the heart of the city was made almost impossible due to restrictions. All flyovers too remained shut.

Train and bus services in Hyderabad were cancelled, and all educational institutions remained closed. A curfew-like situation prevailed on some roads including Tank Bund and Indira Park which were populated only by security and media personnel.

Despite unprecedented restrictions, some pro-Telangana students displayed their determination and started coming out on roads in small groups, since 8am, to march towards the Assembly. However, the activists were immediately taken into custody by the police for defying prohibitory orders.

Despite the arrests of hundreds of pro-Telangana leaders and activists across the Telangana region, the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee had called upon people to gather at Indira Park, for the march. However, police erected barricades on all roads leading towards Indira Park, and disallowed movement of even pedestrians.

With the pro-Telangana groups determined to carry out the proposed agitation, the entirety of Friday is expected to be full of political action, both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly. (INN)