Private School JAC members being arrested by police at the Collectorate, in Kurnool on Monday

Tense moments:Private School JAC members being arrested by police at the Collectorate, in Kurnool on Monday.- PHOTO: U. SUBRAMANYAM

Scores of protesters were taken into custody by police when they attempted to barge into the Collectorate complex demanding permission to stage protest at Sri Krishnadevaraya statue against State bifurcation on Monday.

The authorities banned protest camps at Krishnadevaraya Centre near Gowri Gopal since most of the organisations called off agitation in phases following talks with the government. However, the Joint Action Committee of Private Schools’ Association persisted with its demand to stop the bifurcation of the State and sought permission to allow them to gather at the Krishnadevaraya Centre.

The protesters tried to barge into the Collectorate on the plea that they had to submit a memorandum to the revenue officials. But they were taken into custody and lodged in Three Town police station.

Protesting the arrest, the Association members and activists of other anti-bifurcation groups demonstrated at the police station. They demanded release of the members and also sought permission for the protest.

Meanwhile, members of Rayalaseema Ikya Karyacharana Samithi led by Somasekhara Sarma and Balasundaram staged a demonstration at Ambedkar Bhavan seeking creation of separate Rayalaseema State. They said the proposal to divide the State into two was nothing but neglecting the aspirations of the people of Rayalaseema. The region suffered all along because of the aggressiveness of Telangana and Coastal Andhra leaders. Meanwhile, YSRC women wing members took out a rally here on Monday protesting the role of Congress Ministers and MPs in the bifurcation.

source: The Hindu