Ministers from Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh Tuesday urged Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to give permission for Friday's "chalo assembly" march called by Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC).
The chief minister pointed out during the meeting that such protests in the past led to violence. He, however, assured the ministers that he would talk to senior police officials in this regard before taking any decision.
Earlier, leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) called on the chief ministers and submitted a memorandum, seeking permission to conduct the march.
The leaders of the three parties assured the chief minister if the march was permitted, they would ensure its peaceful conduct.
TRS legislator Harish Rao said they were ready to take responsibility if police permission was granted for the protest. He said the government should give permission by Wednesday.
The leaders of the three parties and the JAC have condemned the arrests of pro-Telangana leaders in various districts of the region. They alleged that police were trying to suppress a democratic movement by arresting dozens of leaders and activists.
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JAC, comprising several pro-Telangana groups, has called for 'chalo assembly' to press the demand that a resolution for formation of separate Telangana state be passed during the current budget session of the state assembly.
The chief minister has already turned down the demand, saying the issue is in the hands of the central government.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said there was no permission for the march and warned that action would be taken against those trying to violate prohibitory orders around the assembly building.
JAC convenor M. Kodandaram has also made it clear that they would go ahead with the protest even if police refuse to give permission for the same.