Hyderabad police extends ban on meetings, rallies

Seemandhra employees and groups may not get permission for their proposed meeting and rallies in Hyderabad as police Tuesday extended ban orders till Sep 10.

Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma has extended the prohibitory orders banning rallies, processions and meetings in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad from Sep 4 to Sep 10 to "maintain public order, peace and tranquility".

Government employees from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) plan to hold a massive public meeting "Save Andhra Pradesh" in the city on Sep 7 to oppose Congress party's decision to bifurcate the state.

Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazeted Officers (APNGO) Association, which represents Seemandhra employees, plans to mobilize one lakh people for the meeting. Employees working in Hyderabad and people from Seemandhra settled here are expected to attend.

Association president P. Ashok Babu said politicians from Seemandhra can participate in the meeting.

The association has also made it clear if police denied them the permission, they would approach the court.

Pro-Telangana groups, demanding the central government, to speed up the process for formation of separate state, also plan to hold rallies in Hyderabad the same day.

Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) has called for a peace rally. TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram appealed to people from all parts of Telangana to participate in the rally in large numbers.

Osmania University students' Joint Action Committee also plans to take out a march in the city on the same day.