Komatireddy Shifted To NIMS

Following a deterioration in his health condition, the state police arrested former minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy from his hunger strike camp at Nalgonda and shifted him to a city hospital.

In a late night operation, several police teams arrived at Clock Tower at Nalgonda where Komatireddy was observing an indefinite fast demanding a separate Telangana from November 1, and took him into custody.

A medical team and an ambulance were also brought at the health camp.

Amidst several attempts by his followers to resist the arrest, the police shifted him into an ambulance.

Later, he was shifted to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) at Punjagutta, under tight police security.

However, Komatireddy continued his fast at NIMS and refused to take food.

The doctors tried in vain to convince him that his health would deteriorate further if he does not break the fast. But the former minister insisted on continuation of his fast till the Centre announces a roadmap for the formation of a Telangana state.

Meanwhile, Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy paid a visit to NIMS and requested Komatireddy to end the fast.

Later, he told reporters that Komatireddy was arrested following reports that he could go into a coma if he continued the fast. He said that although Komatireddy has refused to break the fast, the doctors have started giving him necessary medication to save his life.

Congress MPs Gutta Sukhender Reddy and Madhu Yaskhi Goud, AICC Secretary P Sudhakar and other leaders also visited NIMS and requested the former minister to break the fast.

Sukhender said that the Centre must react immediately and announce its decision on the Telangana issue.

Madhu Yaskhi Goud also demanded that the Centre must keep its word of resolving the issue after Bakrid.

He said that the matter has now turned highly sensitive, and therefore it must not be dragged or delayed further. (INN)