High court nod to Seemandhra employees meet

Andhra Pradesh High Court Friday gave the green signal for a meeting of government employees from Seemandhra, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad Saturday.

The court dismissed a petition filed by some lawyers from Telangana challenging the grant of police permission for the meeting on the ground that it could create law and order problems.

The court directed Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) Association, the organizers of the meet, to abide by the conditions laid down by the police. It said APNGOs would be responsible for any untoward incidents.

The police have already made it clear that only employees from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) carrying identity cards will be allowed inside Lal Bahadur Stadium, the venue of the meeting.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said the permission for the meeting was granted on 19 conditions.

APNGOs president P. Ashok Babu hailed the high court order. He told reporters that 'save Andhra Pradesh' meeting would be held peacefully and in accordance with the conditions set by the police.

He said the meeting was being organized to highlight the need to keep Andhra Pradesh united and it was not against any region. He said despite the threats and the shutdown called by some Telangana groups, they would go ahead with the meeting.

Over six lakh employees and teachers in Seemandhra are on strike since Aug 13, demanding Congress Working Committee to withdraw its July 30 decision. The employees of Seemandhra working in Hyderabad are strongly opposing bifurcation, saying this would badly affect their interests.

Meanwhile, buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) remained off the roads in all 13 districts of Seemandhra.

Political activists, students, employees, workers, lawyers, women and other sections of people continued their protests for the 38th day.