AP govt to withdraw all cases against students

Bowing to pressure from its own party leaders, the ruling Congress government in the state announced on Tuesday it would withdraw all cases filed against the students, who took part in the pro-Telangana and united Andhra agitations.

Following this, the 11 Congress MPs from the Telangana region, who were on an indefinite fast from Monday demanding withdrawal of cases, have called off their stir.

As the MPs refused to withdraw their hunger strike till all cases were dropped, the state government, which was earlier reluctant to withdraw cases involving serious charges like arson, conceded their demand.

The police have filed a total of 1,667 cases against 8,047 persons, who took part in the violent agitations across the state. Of these, the government had earlier dropped 700 cases providing relief to over 3,300 persons.

Announcing the government’s decision, home minister Sabitha Indra Reddy said the decision to withdraw the cases was taken keeping in view of future of students.