The Union Home Minister’s hasty announcement of the decision to initiate the process of creating a separate State of Telangana has caused widespread chaos in Andhra Pradesh. The creation of one more state will only stretch the ability of our security forces which are already overstretched in Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, some parts of Assam and other regions of the northeast, apart from some areas of Jharkhand.
The point is the Army, which is supposed to maintain tranquillity along our nation’s borders, is increasingly being drawn into maintaining law and order. The creation of Telangana will give a fillip to the ultras in that State, who have been effectively contained in Andhra Pradesh. The best thing to do would be to announce a proposal for regional autonomy, which will go a long way in assuaging the feelings of all concerned.
S. Kishore,
Chennai
The formation of a separate State of Telangana is fraught with a major security risk. Chhattisgarh, which borders the region, is reeling under the naxal threat. Most of the ultras there are said to have migrated from Andhra Pradesh. It is very likely that the naxalites will take over Telangana once it is formed. Hyderabad, too, is a sensitive city with a history of terrorist strikes. These two aspects can cripple Telangana and jeopardise national security.
M.M. Kale,
Kakinada
With the political class in Andhra Pradesh abdicating its responsibility, administration and governance have come to a standstill. President’s rule must be imposed in the State at once. It is important to ensure that it does not suffer on the development front in the absence of legislative activities.
B.R. Kumar,
Chennai
TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao succeeded in creating regionalism in the minds of the peace-loving people of Andhra Pradesh. The State experienced devastating floods recently, and the unrest created in the name of regionalism has put relief work on the back burner. Our politicians (pro- and anti-Telangana) have protected their interests leaving the common man to his fate. If a region is underdeveloped, it is the political leadership that is to blame.
Y. Suresh,
Hyderabad
The argument that smaller States prosper better (Letters, Dec. 15) is amusing. In fact, smaller States will suffer more. During the recent disturbances, miscreants tried to stop the water supply to Tamil Nadu. One wonders what will happen if there are 40 to 50 small States with one river flowing through them.
K. Kuberan,
Chennai
Finally regionalism prevailed over unity, leading to the prospect of Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation. Politicians of the State are dividing it not for the improvement of Telangana, but for promoting their selfish ends.
One wonders why the Centre gave in to KCR’s tactics. If the decision to bifurcate the State was already on its agenda, why did it wait for violence to break out?
Pavan Kumar,
Bidar
We are passing through testing times. The need of the hour is statesmanship. Unfortunately, the country is full of politicians. National parties should sink their differences and work to unite the country in these difficult times.
Motupalli S. Prasad,
Chennai
The Telangana movement has 60 years of struggle behind it. When Andhra Pradesh was formed, an assurance was given that Telangana could be separated any time, if the people of the region so desired.
The protest for an Integrated Andhra Pradesh in Rayalaseema and the Andhra regions is a political drama. The sentiment does not come from people’s hearts. It is a move engineered by vested interests. Politicians who have business interests in Hyderabad are behind it.
Yakaiah Kathy,
Warangal
