Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman Prof M Kodandaram was arrested by the City Police when he tried to stage a sit-in dharna at the Jubilee Bus Stand in order to prevent the RTC buses from resuming services here on Monday.
Kodandaram along with T-NMU leader Ashwat Dhama and other activists visited the Jubilee Bus Stand primarily to counter the reports that the RTC strike has been withdrawn. However, due to heavy presence of security forces, they could not enter the bus stand. Despite heavy rains, they tried to stage a dharna in front of bus stand's gate. But police intervened immediately and took Kodandaram and others into custody.
The Telangana activists entered into a heated argument with the police personnel and tried to prevent Kodandaram's arrest. After a few tense moments, Kodandaram and other activists were arrested and shifted to Bowenpally Police Station.
Talking to reporters at the police station, Kodandaram said that the RTC strike would continue till the formation of Telangana. He accused the State Government of trying to use moles to split the employees' unions who are participating in the strike. He said the National Mazdoor Union State president Syed Mahmood was not part of the RTC Employees JAC and he was not a party to the strike call. Therefore, Mahmood was not empowered to announce withdrawal of strike.
Kodandaram said that the government was resorting to unethical means to foil the Telangana agitation. He announced that the RTC strike would continue at any cost, till the Centre makes a clear announcement on formation of Telangana state.