Labour Minister Danam Nagender was allegedly attacked by pro-Telangana activists at the Ministers’ quarters here on Thursday.
Telangana activists allegedly attacked the Minister’s car with sticks when he was returning home. Mr. Nagender is frequently in news for his comments on the status of Hyderabad in the event of formation of separate Telangana State.
Mr. Nagender and his security personnel chased the protestors, a couple of whom entered into a nearby building. The Minister caught hold of the two and handed them over to police who rushed to the spot following the commotion. The two were taken into custody.
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The incident followed a vain bid by students of the Osmania University to enter the Ministers’ quarters where a meeting of the Andhra/ Rayalaseema region leaders was scheduled this morning. The OU students as well as activists of the Telangana Jagruthi, the organisation headed by K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha, were also taken into custody.
The police cordoned off the areas as a precautionary measure and erected barricades and barbed wire fence at vantage points. The media personnel were also prevented from entering the premises to cover the meeting.
At the meeting the "Seemandhra" leaders decided to go to New Delhi on Jan 21 in support of their demand to keep the State united. A resolution to this effect was passed claiming “nothing short of united A.P. was acceptable to us". They said a united State was necessary in view of the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country at large.
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A majority of the 80 participants including Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and MLCs preferred to quit their posts if the Centre took a decision in favour of bifurcation. They had, however, decided to make a formal announcement after meeting the senior leadership in New Delhi shortly.