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Sakala Janula Samme: Rail Roko - Kavitha Arrested

On day 33 of Sakala Janula Samme today - 15 October 2011, first day of the 3-day rail roko protest called by Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC) has began as scheduled. Telangan Jagruthi president and daughter of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao Kavitha was arrested while staging rail roko at Moula Ali staton in Hyderabad. She was taken to Keesara Police Station and a case under Railways Act has been registered against her.

Sakala Janula Samme: Rail Roko Latest Updates

On day 33 of Sakala Janula Samme today - 15 October 2011, first day of the 3-day rail roko protest called by Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC) has began as scheduled. TRS MLA KT Ramarao was arrested at Sithaphalmani railway station in the city when he reached there to organize a sit-in on the tracks. The police promptly arrested and took him away. Midway when KTR questioned the police why they have arrested him, the police told him that there was no case booked against him and brought him back to the place where he was arrested and left him free. Telangana Jagruthi president Ms. Kavitha was also arrested at Moula Ali railway station. She was taken to Keesara Police Station and a case under Railways Act has been registered against her. TRS leader Nayani Narasimha Reddy was arrested at Barkatpura. Here's the latest video clipping of the incidents taken place so far in Hyderabad.

Sakala Janula Samme: Employees to Boycott Talks

In an unexpected turn of events, the striking Telangana Employees JAC has refused to resume talks with the State Government to end the Sakala Janula Samme, the general strike which entered 32nd day on Friday. The JAC accused the government of adopting a non-serious attitude and reiterated that the government must accept the pre-conditions if it was serious on ending the strike. The pre-conditions include revoking ESMA, cancellation of GO 177, withdrawal of cases against the employees and enquiry against the alleged attack on JAC leader Swamy Goud. The JAC leaders held a meeting at the TNGOs office at Nampally and resolved to boycott the talks. Talking to reporters after the meeting, JAC leader Srinivas Goud said that until the State Government accepts the pre-conditions, the Employee JAC would not join the negotiation table. Once the demands are accepted then the JAC would talk with the government on the main demand of formation of separate Telangana state. He said the JAC would communicate the same to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Kothagudem MLA Indefinite Fast For T-state Foiled

Expressing solidarity with the TJAC's ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, Kothagudem CPI MLA Kunamaneni Sambhasiva Rao also started indefinite fast at his home town Kothagudem. Within hours police arrested the MLA from the protest venue and was taken home. But Mr. Sambasiva Rao insisted on continuing his fast at home and that compelled the police to shift him to the 3 Town Police Station. It may be noted that yesterday Mr. Sambhasiva Rao announced at CPI Party Headquarters, Hyderabad, that he shall go on an indefinite fast demanding introduction of T-bill in the Parliament. He also stated that all the cases on protestors have to be waived, all relating to the agitation for the separate statehood for Telangana. He also made it very clear that no matter what may happen he will definitely take up the fast from 14 October.

Sakala Janula Samme: Rail Roko - 128 Trains Canceled

In view of the rail-roko call given by Telangana Joint Action Committee in Telangana region, the South Central Railway (SCR) on Thursday announced cancellation of as many as 124 passenger trains for the three-day period. It also announced partial cancellation, diversion and rescheduling of other trains, including local trains. T-JAC has called for a rail blockade from October 15 to 17, as a part of Sakala Janula Samme for a separate state. Despite assurance from the Andhra Pradesh police that it would provide protection to travelers, a release from the SCR on Thursday night said the train services in Telangana region were likely to be affected. Train services in the Secunderabad Kazipet, Secunderabad Wadi, Vikarabad Parli, Nadikudi Bibinagar, Secunderabad Mudkhed, Vijayawada Kazipet Ballarshah, Secunderabad Dhone, Dornakal Manuguru, Nizamabad - Bodhan, Peddapalli Jagityal, and Adilabad Kinwat sections could be be hit during the three days, the release said. SCR announced cancellation of 124 passenger trains, partial cancellation of 38 trains, diversion of 68, rescheduling of 19 and regulation of 8 trains. "Long distance trains are being diverted via other suitable routes. MMTS (local) train services between Secunderabad and Lingampalli and Hyderabad and Lingampalli will run as per schedule, while MMTS train services between Falaknuma Secunderabad and Hyderabad Secunderabad will be canceled," the release added.

Sakala Janula Samme: Bribes to Congress MLAs

Day 32 of Sakala Janula Samme on Friday begins with a different note for the T-protagonists. While Telangana Political JAC leaders are busy trying to garner support from the rural areas for the proposed rail roko program on 15, 16 and 17 of this month, Employees JAC is busy in negotiating truce with the government. T Congress leaders are busy at Delhi having consultations with central government and the party high command. That leaves the TRS enough time to probe and discover that the Telangana Congress MLAs are being bribed by the chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. K T Ramarao, TRS MLA and son of K Chandrasekhar Rao alleged that the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh is trying to sabotage their movement. "I allege that he (CM) is doing cash for support scheme like what we have seen cash-for-vote in Parliament. We have information that 13 Telangana Congress MLA's have been paid money to pull them away from Telangana agitation," KTR said. Keeping aside how far KTR's allegations are true, the million dollar question is why CM would bribe the non-descript Congress MLAs instead of luring TJAC leaders and TRS MLAs, say the political observers.

Telangana Rail Roko: DGP Warns of Severe Action

The State police has reiterated that it will act tough against those who try to enforce Rail Roko agitation scheduled from October 15 to 17 as part of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme by Telangana Political Joint Action Committee. Addressing a press conference at the State Police Headquarters on Thursday, Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy said that the police would book cases under the Railways Act and other serious offences if the train services were disrupted in the State. Quoting over a dozen sections of Railways Act, Indian Penal Code and other provisions in the law, the DGP advised the activist to restrain from participating in the agitation. "This time we will apply the Railways Act of 1989. All offences under the Act are non-bailable and the punishments vary from 10 years to life imprisonment," the DGP said. Without disclosing the figures, the DGP said that enough number of security personnel belonging to CRPF, RAF, CPMF, BSF, APSP and the State police have been deployed across the region in view of Rail Roko agitation. He said additional forces would be called from the neighbouring States, if required. He also confirmed that 18 companies of Central Reserve Force have been diverted to Hyderabad by the Central Government. Giving a hint that cases booked under the Railways Act could not be withdrawn, the DGP reminded of 294 cases that were earlier booked under the Railways Act. He said although the State police wanted to withdraw those cases, the Railway Board has rejected the proposal and police is now going ahead with the cases. "We are not mentioning various Sections to threaten the activists or organisers, but to educate them. If we apply the Railways Act, then the common students and people who are participating in the strike would suffer," he said. Additional DG (Law & Order) SA Huda and other senior police officials were also present during the press conference.

Sakala Janula Samme: Autos Bandh From 15 to 17 October

Telangana auto drivers Joint Action Committee has announced 72 hours auto bandh from the midnight of 14th October along with the ongoing sakala janula samme and rail roko protest called by the Telangana Joint Action Committee. Telangana auto drivers Joint Action Committee convenor Amanullah Khan announced it in a press note. He appealed to all the auto drivers to participate in the auto strike on 15, 16 and 17th October and to make it a grand success.

T Cong MPs to Join Sakala Janula Samme, Rail Roko

Telangana Congress MPs, who are camping in Delhi for consultations with the party high command and the Congress core committee, gave a call to the agitaters back home to continue the Sakala Janula Samme till Telangana tangle is cleared. 8 Congress MPs of the Telangana region met the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Ms. Meira Kumar on Wednesday and requested her to accept their resignations immediately, which they have submitted in the month of July. The MPs who met the Speaker are Mr Madhu Yashki Goud, Manda Jagannadham, Gutta Sukhendar reddy, Rajaiah, Ponnam Prabhakar, Balaram Naik, Vivek and Komatireddy Rajagopal reddy. MP Mr Suresh Shetkar didn't accompany the MPs who met the Speaker in her chambers after taking an appointment. MP from Nalgonda Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy later told media persons that they are ready to leave the congress party for achieving Telangana state. Saying that the mass general strike will continue till announcement is made on the formation of Telangana state, Rajagopal Reddy accused the CM Kirankumar Reddy of trying to sabotage the strike. MP Ponnam Prabhakar said that there is no question of going back on proposed 'Rail Roko' program on 15, 16 and 17 of October in the Telangana region. He said that the MPs will participate in the rail roko program in their respective home districts.

Sakal Janula Samme: Employees-Govt Talks Failed

On day 30 today - 12 October 2011, of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, the talks between Telangana Employees JAC leaders and the government took place in the Secretariat. Sources from employees associations inform that the talks have failed. Leaders of the Telangana employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) participated in the talks with a cabinet sub-committee but only to put forward their demands. These included withdrawal of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), scrapping of a government order (GO 177) on "no work no pay" rule and withdrawal of cases booked against striking employees. The JAC has also sought a probe into the police assault on its leader Swami Goud. JAC leader Swami Goud said there could be no meaningful talks without the government taking steps to create a congenial atmosphere. "The government, on the one hand, is inviting us for talks and, on the other, booking serious cases against us," he said.

Telangana Tangle: Cong Core Group Meets

The Congress Core Group on Tuesday met at the residence of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Delhi to discuss the contentious Telangana problem. The meeting was presided over by party president Sonia Gandhi and attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defense Minister AK Antony and Home Minister Chidambaram besides the Prime Minister. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Health Minister and in charge of the congress affairs in AP, too attended the meeting as a special invitee. According to sources, the meeting was inconclusive and could not take any firm decision on the Telangana issue. However it discussed about the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme and tried to find out ways to pursuade the T-protagonists to call off the strike. Since no decision can be taken on Telangana issue without consulting the UPA allies and calling an all party meeting, the core committee meeting mainly discussed about diffusing the tense situation in AP, it is said.

T-activists Derail Locomotive in Adilabad District

Even as director general of police Dinesh Reddy talked tough and warned Telangana agitators of stern action during the proposed rail roko, the activists had their way when they removed fishplates on a railway track in Adilabad district on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, there was no major tragedy as only a locomotive pulling a goods train jumped the rails. The goods train carrying coal from Singareni mines derailed near Srirampur station. The train was stopped immediately after the locomotive derailed, thus averting a major disaster. Officials carried out the repairs after finding out that some T activists had removed the fishplates. "Luckily the train was moving at a slow pace. That's why there was no major accidents," an official said. Meanwhile, the DGP, who visited Mahbubnagar district by travelling in a special train from Hyderabad, warned perpetrators of violence of severe action. He said police would take all steps to provide security and ensure safe journey of passengers during the rail roko. He said a three-tier security cover would be in place in all the railway stations, crossings and tracks passing through the entire Telangana region during the stir. Sources said Dinesh Reddy travelled in the train to provide confidence to the passengers and to oversee security arrangements all along the section. Speaking to newsmen at Mahbubnagar railway station, he said "We will not take any action against the agitators if they conduct protests in a peaceful manner." He also said there would be zero tolerance against the agitators if they try to damage railway property. "They would be booked under relevant sections of the law and imprisoned for a long term," he warned.

Sakala Janula Samme: Police Assures Protection to Buses, Trains

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy assured full protection to APSRTC buses, plying in the city and other parts of the state, and trains in view of the Sakal Janula Samme and TJAC's Rail Roko program. The DGP, who visited different bus depots including Ranigunj, Imlibun, Mehdipatnam among others here, along with Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan and other senior police officers told media that police would take stern action if anybody indulged in violence and prevented buses from plying. Appealing agitators not to cause any inconvenience to the public, Reddy said police will not tolerate any violent acts and cases would be booked under relevant IPC sections against those breaking laws. Referring to the proposed three-day 'rail-roko' programme called by Telangana-JAC (in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh), the AP Police Chief said "We are running the trains with full protection. The tracks will also be patrolled." Earlier, Telangana Political JAC Convener M Kodandaram announced postponement of the three-day 'rail roko' programme to October 15 to 17, from the previous scheduled dates of October 12 to 14.

Sakala Janula Samme: Rail Roko Postponed to 15 October

As part of the ongoing 29 day old Sakala Janula Samme, the Telangan Joint Action Committee (TJAC) had earlier called for a 'Rail-roko' protests on 12, 13 and 14 of this month. TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram announced on Tuesday that the three-day rail roko called by his organisation on October 12 to 14 had been deferred. It would now be organised in the Telangana region from October 15 to 17. Accordingly, the South Central Railway declared that all train services would run as per their original schedule on October 12, 13 and 14. It announced scrapping of the changes informed on Monday evening in the pattern of train services and also withdrew the travel advisory to the passengers. Meanwhile, the A. P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) rolled out bus services partially from its various depots in the Telangana region as the National Mazdoor Union (NMU), the majority body in the Corporation, announced its decision to end the strike. Till noon, the Corporation operated about 25 per cent of the over 7,000 buses that cater to the region.

KCR Shuns Delhi Trip Today

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was scheduled to go to Delhi today, have shunned the trip. He said that he is cancelling the trip because of the arrests of some RTC employees who wanted to continue strike till the center comes out with a positive decision towards carving of separate Telangana state. Even back home here, many a local leaders have resented KCR's trip to Delhi today. While Telangana Praja Front leader Gaddar foretold that KCR's visit to New Delhi would not yield any positive result with regard to Telangana issue, some of his party colleagues also dissuaded him to cancel the trip, it is said.

Sakala Janula Samme: Day 29 - 11 October Videos

The Sakala Janula Samme or Telangana general strike entered day 29 today on 11 October 2011. Latest developments at Delhi and Hyderabad for the past two days are showing their effect on the ongoing stir. While some associations like RTC have withdrawn from strike, new entrants like AP Judiciary employees have joined sakala janula samme today. The T-protagonists staged dharna in front of several Bus Depots protesting against RTC employees belonging to NMU joining their duties in the morning today. Tension prevailed at Rajendranagar Bus Depot for some time as protesters didn't allow the buses to come out of the depot. Police arrested several activists and cleared way for the buses. Though reports of protests from all over the region are coming in, there seems to be a lack of intensity in the agitation. Divided opinion among the JAC partners about continuing the stir could have been the reason behind waning of the movement, say the observers.

Congress May Use Mamata Banerjee to Resolve T-tangle

It is not new for the Congress to manipulate things when it is required. Now it is not in a position to go back from the 9 December 2009 announcement in respect of Telangana and at the same time not also in a position to comply with it in a hurry. Going by the party's maneuvers since last week, it is very likely that it may opt to use partners of the UPA to stymie the prospects of a new state for the time being. The most likely and useful among the UPA partners is Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress which is apprehensive about pressure to carve out Gorkhaland from West Bengal in case the Center agrees to create a separate Telangana state. And it is very likely that the Congress will use Mamata Banerjee's services to bring the process of creating Telangana state to a halt, say the highly informed sources. It is for this reason that Pranab Mukherjee has been brought to the forefront for the settlement of the the Telangana issue. Pranab, who is from West Bengal, has close ties with Mamata Banerjee. The Congress bosses in Delhi have also realized that the general strike in the state which has now completed almost a month is not likely to subside in a jiffy and slowly but surely things are going to get worse. Buying more time also seems a herculean task now. The sources also say that no strong arm action is expected because that will spoil the show for the Congress and lead to the situation going out of hand. For the effect, however, both the police and the AP chief minister are going to talk tough from now onwards.

Sakala Janula Samme: Kodandaram For Intensifying The Stir

Sakala Janula Samme - day 28 - 10 October 2011, even as hectic parleys are taking place in Delhi to amicably resolve the Telengana issue, back home, the TJAC convenor M Kodandaram gave vehement call for intensifying the agitation further. Speaking from TJAC office, prof. Kodandaram said that a huge conspiracy is being hatched by some andhra leaders to sabotage the ongoing sakala janula samme. It is because of that conspiracy that a section of RTC employees have agreed to postpone the strike. He appealed to the managements of educational institutions to keep Schools and Colleges closed till the Telangana State is formed. He told that State Govt. Employees, RTC Employees and other organizations like Singareni Colleries are observing strike. A grand dharna programme would be organized by State Govt. employees on 11th October at Indira Park. Rail Roko programme will be organized on 12th, 13th and 14th October. He appealed to all sections of society to participate in all these agitation programme.

Telangana Tangle: Pranab, Kavuri Secret Meeting

Hectic parleys pertaining to Telangana issue took place in the national capital on Sunday yesterday. According to sources, a secret meeting took place between UPA troubleshooter Pranab Mukherji and Eluru MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, even though both of them are scheduled to meet on Monday officially. Sunday's discussions, it is said, were centred around the opposition from Seemandhra Congress leaders to any move to bifurcate the state. The Congress party's AP general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad had another hour-long meeting with PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana and chief troubleshooter Pranab Mukherjee met Seemandhra leader and Eluru MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao Sunday evening. The Congress' intra-party consultations are set to conclude on Monday with a round of interviews with Seemandhra leaders. Kavuri has emerged as the person who has been chosen to present the anti-bifurcation view. However, it is not known what exactly transpired in the Pranab-Kavuri secret meeting.

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