Sending out a tough message to those trying to disturb public order, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy warned that severe action would be taken if agitators implementing the general strike in Telangana tried to obstruct students and employees of Singareni Collieries and APSRTC.
Zero tolerance
He clearly said that the government would show zero tolerance towards those disturbing law and order or causing destruction of properties, public or private. Some anti-social elements responsible for attacks in Nalgonda district had been identified and would be punished.
Addressing a media conference here on Monday along with Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha, the Chief Minister expressed a sense of outrage over the continued inconvenience to public.Extending an olive branch simultaneously, Mr. Reddy appealed to the government staff, particularly teachers of schools and colleges and Singareni employees, to join duty in the interests of people who were subjected to untold misery.
“There is no need to continue the strike as their opinion over Telangana is received already by Congress high command and the Centre.” Mr. Reddy said the staff must return for work, as they, as partners of the government, had to implement welfare schemes for the poor. Their leaders could approach him for talks. Asked whether salaries would be paid for the strike period, the Chief Minister said the issue was under the High Court's purview as it had upheld the ‘no work, no pay' order of the government.
He said the general strike had put the career of 70 lakh students in jeopardy as they had lost a good part of the academic year.
