The government is going all-out to thwart the ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme being organised by the Telangana Joint Action Committee on Thursday. By declaring a holiday for educational institutions and closing all flyovers, it has taken unprecedented steps.
Large contingents of central paramilitary forces like the Border Security Force (BSF) have arrived in the city. They have been positioned at vulnerable locations in the city. Over 25,000 policemen belonging to both Central and State security forces have also been deployed.
Buses diverted
Police have taken over all trunk routes leading to the Assembly by posting pickets at every 10 yards, in addition to putting up steel barricades a few yards before the Assembly. RTC buses plying via the Assembly road are being diverted to other routes.
“Depending on the advice of the police, the number of buses and trips too could be curtailed while services in all other routes are being regulated,” RTC officials said.
No MMTS runs
Half the MMTS services have been cancelled, especially those on the Secunderabad-Hyderabad and Secunderabad-Falaknuma routes. Trains will run on the Secunderabad-Lingampally routes though.
Caught unawares
Still, police are on the edge since three groups of youngsters turned up at the Assembly in the afternoon, despite massive security. The startled policemen even evacuated inmates of the Nizam college hostel at Basheerbagh, which is located stone’s throwaway from Assembly.
On several occasions earlier, boarders of this hostel had taken to the streets in support of pro-Telangana agitations elsewhere in city or State.
Traffic thins
Massive police presence and curbs all round has already had an effect with traffic movement on the usual busy Khairatabad flyover, Raj Bhavan road, Assembly, Basheerbagh and Nampally thinning down from evening itself.
The Cyberabad police on other side of the city also seem to be equally determined not to allow pro-Telangana activists from the surrounding districts to enter the city. Four DIGs, seven SPs, 40 DSPs, 100 Inspectors and 400 SIs are being deployed for security arrangements. Fifty-eight check-posts have also been set up at different points to inspect vehicles.
