30 Students, 15 Policemen Injured in Osmania University Violence

Nearly 45 persons, 30 of them students and 15 policemen, were injured as violence broke out in Osmania University on Wednesday as police stopped students from staging a march with the body of a youth who committed suicide by immolating himself yesterday over formation of a separate Telangana state, reported PTI.

Report said citing police that at least 30 students and 15 policemen, including Kachiguda ACP K Ramchander, were injured as the university campus turned into a battlefield with students pelting stones and torching police vehicles.

To disperse agitating students, police resorted to firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets, and to baton-charge, said report. Some mediapersons were also hurt during the clashes.

The violence broke out over shifting the body of K Venugopal Reddy, a 23-year-old final-year MCA student who set himself ablaze yesterday at the university, which has been a focal point for the youth demanding Telangana.

Bandh

Normal life was hit across Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh as the bandh called by the students and Joint Action Committee (JAC) demanding immediate steps for formation of separate Telangana began Wednesday morning, reported Zee News.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspended its services in the city fearing attacks by bandh supporters following which office-goers had a tough time in reaching their destinations.

Auto drivers and other private vehicle owners had a field day as commuters paid high fares demanded by them. Petrol pumps remained closed at various places in the city since late last night.

Schools, colleges, shops and other business establishments were shut in Hyderabad and Telangana districts like Medak, Nizamabad, Nalgonda and Karimnagar.