Violence Mars Telangana March

At least 20 persons suffered minor injuries in the incidents of police lathicharge, stone-pelting, and other acts of violence in different parts of the city during the Telangana March on Sunday.

While police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells at several places, pro-Telangana activists damaged and set ablaze vehicles belonging to the police, the media and private individuals as well.

The activists also pelted stones at IMAX, two restaurants on Necklace Road, and other business establishments. Two police vehicles and one OB van of a private media channel were torched by activists near Necklace Road.

The state Secretariat became the epicentre of tension for several hours, when the police prevented Telangana activists from going towards Necklace Road. Police had resort to lathicharge several times to disburse the activists.

Despite the hurdles, Telangana activists reached the Telugu Talli flyover in different batches. However, they were not allowed to proceed further by the police.

There was also tension at Secunderabad Clock Tower, as leaders and activists of CPI-ML New Democracy were prevented by the police from taking out a rally.

Meanwhile, the police also took TRS MP Vijayashanthi into custody when she staged a dharna near Telugu Talli flyover in protest against the police's refusal to allow Telangana activists from going towards Necklace Road. She alleged that the police were trying to sabotage the Telangana March.

Telugu Desam Telangana Forum members, too, staged a protest at Martyr's Memorial at Gun Park on Sunday. After paying homage there, TDP leaders and workers, led by MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao, staged a dharna before the Assembly building. They were arrested by the police, and were later shifted to a nearby police station.

CPI state secretary K Narayana, BJP state president G Kishan Reddy, former union minister Bandaru Dattatreyya and other leaders also took out a rally from Indira Park to Necklace Road. (INN)