Celebrations continue across Telangana

Students of Osmania University, whose plan to conduct a rally to the assembly had triggered fears of violence, cancelled their plans and decided to celebrate on campus.

The revelry replaced the tension prevailing on the campus for 11 days. Police and paramilitary forces, who had evicted the students from the campus on Wednesday morning, did not interfere when students gathered in large numbers after midnight following Home Minister P. Chidambaram's  announcement in New Delhi that a bill for carving out a separate state would be tabled in the assembly.

Raising slogans of "Jai Telangana" and dancing amid the singing of traditional songs of the region by artists, the students greeted each other and burst crackers.

Similar scenes were witnessed at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), where TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao broke his fast-unto-death which he had launched on Nov 29.

TRS ideologue Jayashankar said KCR would remain in the hospital for two to three days. Since his condition had turned critical and he also had a fungus infection, it would take some time for him to recover, he said.

Chidambaram's announcement eased the tension in Hyderabad though police and paramilitary forces, deployed in huge numbers, remained on high alert on all routes leading to the state assembly.

The students and TRS wanted to take out a victory procession but the  police denied them the permission anticipating violence. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of students announced early Thursday that they would hold celebrations on campus.
Police diverted traffic on the roads and flyovers in the areas around the assembly.
Barricades were erected and armed security personnel were deployed.

Meanwhile, police lifted prohibitory orders in all Telangana  districts, which witnessed widespread and violent protests for 11 days.

There is still no word from the government as to when the resolution  would be moved in the assembly. The ruling Congress party wants to ensure support to the resolution from legislators of all the regions.

The main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which had promised to back the resolution, also began an analysis of the implications of the  move. TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with senior party leaders.

TRS leaders said they were waiting to hear the details from the government like the contents of the resolution and the day it would be tabled in the assembly.

TRS, which stalled the proceedings for the past two days demanding a  resolution on Telangana, allowed the house to conduct the listed agenda.