It was a bitter day for chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday when he faced the wrath of Telangana activists in Warangal district. Pro-Telangana agitators threw stones at the chief minister’s bus and tried to obstruct his programmes in the district.
Kiran Kumar Reddy who went to Warangal to inaugurate the Kakatiya Festival and a couple of development programmes in the district, was booed and heckled wherever he went.
In Narmetta mandal, he inaugurated Bommakuru reservoir, under J Chokka Rao lift irrigation scheme phase II, where many in the gathering shouted “Jai Telangana” slogans.
Kiran Reddy limited his speech to explaining the importance of the scheme and the government’s commitment to development and he left the place for Hanamkonda where he inaugurated the APNPDCL office.
Trouble started when the chief minister went to inaugurate Haritha Hotel of the Tourism department, constructed at the cost of Rs 13.37 crore.
A large number of Telangana advocates tried to confront him, demanding that he spell out Congress party’s clear stance on Telangana statehood and not send two persons for the all-party meeting in Delhi. Only one representative must be sent with a positive response towards Telangana, they said.
Police, who were deployed in large numbers at the venue, tried to shift the protesters.
Kakatiya University students, who too had gathered at the place, went berserk and started throwing stones on the CM’s bus and other vehicles in the convoy.
Police lathi-charged the students and others and took several of them into custody. Many suffered injuries. Meanwhile, chief minister was shifted to a bullet proof vehicle and escorted out from there.
Again, pro-Telangana activists threw eggs on the CM’s vehicle. The chief minister cancelled the unveiling of Sardar Patel statue at Venkatrama theater chowrasta and went to Warangal Fort by another route to inaugurate the Kakatiya Festival.
After a cut-short speech, Kiran Reddy declared open the festival.
The main festival will be celebrated for three days at Warangal Fort, Ramappa temple and the Thousand Pillar Temple and events will continue for one year. The fete is aimed at highlighting the Kakatiyay rule, which covered much of present-day Andhra Pradesh and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnaktaka, the chief minister said.
On the occasion, Kiran Kumar Reddy announced upgrading of Warangal to Greater Warangal.
Union minister of state for tourism Chiranjeevi said within a year, a mega tourism circuit will be developed in Warangal district. Union minister of state for social justice P Balaram Naik and others were present.
Even during the inaugural of the Kakatiya Festival, the chief minister had to face booing and catcalls from Telangana activists and some women threw chairs in the air while shouting “Jai Telangana” slogans.
Several students of Kakatiya University, gathered outside and raised slogans against the CM.
[Courtesy: The New Indian Express]