The opposition parties along with activists of the Jana Sena and Telangana Joint Action Council (TJAC) today clashed with the police and members of the public over the government decision to ban agitations at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park.

The situation in the area had become tense by 11:30 am, with a huge posse of police trying to bring matters under control after a round of lathi charge and pelting stones, leaving two injured and dozens of chairs broken.

The issue began when Left parties reached the spot around 9 am to hold an all-party meeting to protest the government’s decision to ban agitations at Dharna Chowk. The protest was objected by the local residents and morning walkers, saying that the protests at Dharna Chowk apart from blocking the traffic for hours, had made life miserable for them.

The argument snowballed into jostling and throwing of chairs at each other and the police stepped in and pacified both sides.

The situation turned violent again around 11 am when activists of Jana Sena and TJAC along with Congress workers led by senior leader V Hanumantha Rao reached the spot. A clash between residents of surrounding areas, including Domalguda and Kawadiguda, and the political parties in protest ensued, and chairs at the Chowk were damaged. Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd, while a few miscreants began pelting stones as well. Two persons were injured. The atmosphere remained tense by afternoon, with a huge contingent of police trying to bring the situation under control.

Telangana TDP MLA Revanth Reddy reacted strongly against Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for provoking people against each other. Few police constables were made to come in civil dress and protest against all parties, for relocation of Dharna Chowk, said Revanth Reddy.

The “Chalo Indira Park” movement on Monday has the support from all the opposition parties BJP, Congress, TDP CPI, CPM, Jana Sena.

The decision to shift Dharna Chowk was taken earlier this year after TJAC called for protests highlighting rising unemployment in the state. This led to a massive showdown between protesters and Police. The protest to save Dharna Chowk has been going on for the past one month.

SUPRAJA