Tension at Osmania varsity as police foils students march

Hyderabad, March 18 (IANS) Tension prevailed at Osmania University on Wednesday when students pelted stones and clashed with police while trying take out a march to Telangana state assembly, demanding the government to immediately fill one lakh job vacancies.

On a call given by Telanagana Students-Unemployed Joint Action Committee, a large number of students began their march from Arts College. Holding placards and banners and raising slogans against the government, they demanded that the government immediately issue notification for filling all vacancies.

The protestors alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has gone back on his word to fill all the vacancies after formation of Telangana state. Claiming that students played a key role in formation of the separate state, they demanded justice to the unemployed youth.

However, police stopped them at NCC Gate, which was sealed with barbed wires. As orders banning meetings, rallies and processions are in force in view of the ongoing budget session of the assembly, they did not allow the students to come out of the university.

Students pelted stones on police, who responded with mild use of force. Few protestors were also arrested.

The JAC alleged that its leaders including president K. Manavata Roy were arrested by the police early on Wednesday.

The chief minister had stated in the assembly on Saturday that vacancies will be filled in two years and that notifications for the same will be issued at regular intervals. He also stated that exact number of vacancies will be known after K. C. Kamalnathan Committee submits its report.

The committee is looking into distribution of the existing state cadre employees between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The JAC, which comprises various student groups, has alleged that the government is adopting delaying tactics.