Power cuts spark protests in state

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Opposition parties launched sharp protests across the state protesting shortage of power in the state for the second day on Wednesday, and demanded seven-hour power supply to the farm sector in the Telangana region. Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Telugu Desam and Communist Party of India staged vociferous protests at Vidyut Soudha in the city and at electrical substations and other places across the state on Wednesday.

Police, who beefed up security at the Vidyut Soudha in the wake of Tuesday’s incidents, took into custody leaders and activists of various parties who came there in batches. It also foiled attempts to stage a dharna in front of the Secretariat. TRS MLA, Mr K.T. Rama Rao, was arrested when he and other party activists demonstrated in front of the ministers’ quarters at Banjara Hills, while TD MLAs, Mr E. Dayakar Rao, Mr Mahender Reddy, and Mr K.S. Ratnam were taken into custody near Vidyut Soudha.

Mr Dayakar Rao lodged a complaint at the Punjag-utta police station against CM Kiran Kumar Reddy for ‘cheating’ people, especially farmers, of power. TRS MLA Etala Rajender accused DCP Stephen Ravindra of high-handed behaviour and using Octopus commandos against TRS MLAs. Two TRS MLAs E. Ravinder Reddy and Vinay Bhaskar who were arrested in a dramatic manner by Octopus commandos at Vidyut Soudha, were produced before a magistrate, and sent off to cool their heels at Cherlapally jail before being released. TRS MLA Harish Rao said he wanted the governemnt to review gas allocations to private companies.