Andhra Pradesh permits Telangana march in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Bowing to the pressure from pro-Telangana groups, the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday night decided to allow the Telangana march in the city on Sunday.

After several rounds of talks between ministers from Telangana and leaders of Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy agreed to give permission for the march but with certain conditions.

The JAC has been allowed to conduct the march on Necklace Road on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake. It originally planned to hold the march on Necklace Road and Tank Bund, forming a chain around the lake.

During the last couple of days, the police arrested hundreds of Telangana activists coming to Hyderabad.

During the march on Tank Bund last year, protesters had vandalised statues of several Telugu personalities from the Andhra region.

Minister for Panchayat Raj K Jana Reddy told reporters that the government had given permission, respecting the sentiments of the people of Telangana and considering the appeals from all political parties, the JAC, people's organisations, groups of students, employees, advocates and journalists.

Jana Reddy hoped that the organisers would respect their commitment and ensure peace during the march.

The police had earlier refused permission for the march in view of the Ganesha immersion procession on Saturday and the United Nations conference on biodiversity beginning October 1.

During the last couple of days, the police arrested hundreds of Telangana activists coming to Hyderabad from various parts of Telangana.

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