Sending a strong signal to the state and central government about the planned general strike from 17th of August, the Telangana Non-Gazetted Employees (TNGOs) conducted a massive deeksha at Indira Park yesterday. The TNGOs have made it amply clear that they cannot be threatened by invoking draconian acts like ESMA.
Telangana JAC chairman Prof Kodandaram, rebel TDP MLAs Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Harishwar Reddy, TRS MLA K. Tarakarama Rao, resigned TDP MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, noted writer Jooloori Gouri Shankar, Ved Kumar from Praja Telangana Front and Vimalakka from Telangana United Front addressed the gathering of TNGOs
Speaking to media TNGO head Swamy Goud reiterated their stand on the Telangana general strike. He said “We have decided to strike work across the region in support of the aspirations of four crore Telangana people. We are neither afraid of being sent to jail nor losing our jobs. Even Andhra Pradesh Essential Services and Maintenance Act, 1971 (Esma) cannot stop us from achieving our goal. Nothing matters to us more than the sacrifices made by hundreds of students in support of the Telangana cause. We have been repeatedly betrayed by successive state governments regarding our jobs and even allocation of water,”.