Several organisations, including student unions, tried to lay siege to the high-security US Consulate office in Begumpet on Thursday, protesting the alleged mistreatment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, who was arrested and strip-searched by American authorities.
Holding placards and raising anti-US slogans, activists of All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO) arrived near the US Consulate and registered their protest. A few minutes later, members of All India Students Federation (AISF), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) also attempted to enter the consulate lane. Police took all protestors into preventive custody.
Elaborate security arrangements were already in place as these organisations had earlier announced their intention to stage protests. Barricades were also placed at the entry point to the US consulate lane.
TDP activists protestOver 20 activists belonging to the Telugu Desam Party’s SC Cell, led by its president D. Srisailam, were arrested by police when they were protesting on the matter at NTR Bhavan in Banjara Hills on Thursday. They were later released.
