Seemandhra settlers in Telangana will be protected: Cong

Accusing TRS of creating a feeling of insecurity among Seemandhra people, a senior Congress leader from Telangana today assured protection for settlers in Telangana region.

"If TRS chose to issue such statements that people of Seemandhra or employees should move away, let me state it very emphatically that we in Telangana will not allow this to happen at any cost," said M. Shashidhar Reddy, MLA from Hyderabad told reporters here.

"Such provocative statements viewed in conjunction with several statements from the same circles in the past triggered large scale fear among Seemandhra people migrated to Telangana, in general, and Hyderabad, in particular," said the leader, who is son offormer Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh late Channa Reddy.

Reddy, who is also the Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority, underlined that it was the responsibility of leaders from all political parties to ensure the safety and security of Seemandhra settlers their properties and business. "People of Seemandhra will be given due security. It is not only in the interest of Seemandhra, but also for Telangana itself to enhance the image of Brand Hyderabad," he said.

He also urged the Group of Ministers (GoM) to address certain crucial issues, against the backdrop of carving out Telangana State. The Congress leader stated that the concerns of minorities about the impact of creating a separate state must be addressed appropriately.

The increased Maoist activities in smaller states such as Chattisgarh and Jharkhand, he said, will be a matter of great concern with the formation of Telangana, as it shared borders with disturbed districts of Maharashtra, Chattisgarh and Orissa.

To a question, Reddy asserted that top leaders of YSR Congress Party and TDP were consulted on creation of Telangana.