TJAC convener Prof. M Kodandaram, and TRS MLAs Eetela Rajendar and Jupally Krishna Rao were arrested this morning at around 8:30am at Alampur checkpost, during the Telangana Sadak Bandh, a day-long blockade of the Hyderabad - Kurnool national highway, that was announced to be held today. Sircilla MLA K Tarakarama Rao, and Pargi MLA K Harishwar Reddy were arrested a little while later at Shadnagar.
Speaking to the media after getting arrested, Kodandaram lambasted the state government for its use of force to "squash the Telangana movement. A government should win the hearts of its people, and not arrest and lathi-charge them into submission."
Meanwhile, MLA T Harish Rao, who seems to have evaded arrest, implored the government to let them peacefully carry on with their bandh until 5pm, and that they will leave as non-violently as they arrived. He warned the police against the "undue use of force", and held up the example of violence that broke out when the police tried to stop the Telangana Million March.
filed in:T Harish Rao, Jupally Krishna Rao, Harishwar Reddy, K T Rama Rao