Telangana again

It is a matter of great concern that after a brief lull, the agitation for a separate state of Telangana has come to the forefront again, with pro-Telangana protesters fighting pitched battles with the police in Hyderabad during a march to press their cause. While the demand for a separate state is the result of the failure on the part of successive governments at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh to address the socio-economic issues of the region through meaningful development measures, the question whether a nod for a Telangana state will solve all livelihood and development problems needs a convincing answer.

M. Jeyaram,Sholavandan

It is painful to see the Telangana issue burning perennially. The Congress cannot escape responsibility for the unrest. The B.N. Srikrishna Committee, appointed to go into the issue, submitted its report two years ago. But the government continues to dilly-dally on the question. The governments at the Centre and the State should give a clear cut answer to people.

T. Anand Raj,Chennai

The government knew that many outfits and organisations were planning to participate in the agitation programme planned for September 30. Some organisations exploited the situation and provoked the police by throwing stones at them. The police should have organised themselves better to isolate such organisations or persons instead of treating everyone alike.

A.G. Rajmohan,

Anantapur

The agitating leaders should not have been taken on their word — that the Telangana march would be peaceful. They whipped up passions with their fiery speeches and actions. The fact that the police were pelted with stones shows that the protesters were planning to indulge in violence.

That said, the police should be prepared for all eventualities. The leadership has no control over anti-social elements out to create havoc.

M.M. Kale,Kakinada