Osmania University, the hotbed of Telangana agitation for the last few years but relatively peaceful now, received a jolt with posters appearing in the hostels asking students to take up armed struggle to realise their dream of a separate Telangana.
Students in shock
Students were shocked to see posters in several hostels and other places on the campus a few days ago asking them to start the armed struggle. The posters further stated that only an armed struggle would lead to separation of Telangana and students being in the forefront of the movement so far should be prepared for it.
Outsiders involved?
Students said such militant views were never seen or discussed in the last few years and they were surprised with the content in the posters.
“Definitely students participating in the agitation are not involved in this. It seems to be the work of some outsiders,” said a few of them who are involved in the agitation.
A senior professor argued that students were in no mood to get involved in militancy or armed struggle as it was fraught with dangers and could jeopardise the entire movement itself.
“Moreover, students are not ready to sacrifice their careers as they see better employment opportunities once Telangana is formed,” he said seeking anonymity and reminding that, “Telangana detractors are already trying to defame the movement linking it to Maoists.”
Apart from general students, members of the OUJAC too concurred with the views.
“We will achieve Telangana within the constitutional limits and continue our struggle in a democratic manner,” said M. Krishank, OUJAC spokesperson. A few others suspect it to be the handiwork of anti-Telangana forces to divert attention and defame the agitation.
Organisation identified, say police
Meanwhile, Osmania University police claimed to have identified the organisation that had put up the posters on the campus as Telangana Peoples Liberation Army. Cases were booked under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and other relevant provisions of IPC.
“No arrests have been made as efforts are on to collect more details about the organisation,” said OU Inspector P. Ashok.
