Telangana braces for another bundh

Prohibitory orders in twin cities

Petrol bunks and banks on Tuesday overflowed with customers in view of the shutdown, even as the police imposed prohibitory orders on the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Police reinforcements have been rushed here with 112 platoons of paramilitary troops already deployed to ensure that there is no violence during the shutdown. The call for bundh was given by the all-party Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC).

Hyderabad Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao on Tuesday said prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, banning assembly of five or more persons, would remain in force for a week. This is in view of the proposed convention across 10 districts of the Telangana region called by students of Osmania University to express solidarity with the movement. About five lakh students are expected to converge here on January 3 for the “Telangana Vidyarthi Maha Garjana”.
However, the police have denied permission for the meeting, holding that it would endanger peace and harmony. Rao warned students of stern action if they took to the streets. “We are taking it seriously and as a challenge thrown at us,” he said.
Police have heightened vigilance in posh neighbourhoods in view of the attacks on the rich of the other two regions of the state by the proponents of the Telangana movement.

Considering that at least three film shootings were disrupted in and around Hyderabad, police have requested the Telugu film industry to avoid outdoor shooting in view of the sensitive situation. All sections of the Telugu film industry are dominated by people from coastal Andhra.