After six hours of high drama, the city police broke the indefinite fast launched by the Telugu Desam Mylavaram MLA Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and party state general secretary Bonda Umamaheswara Rao on Thursday and shifted them to the government hospital from the ZP guest house where they launched a hunger strike five days ago demanding the central government to withdraw the statement on Telangana statehood.
The two leaders got themselves locked up inside the ZP guesthouse on MG Road and refused to undergo medical tests.
The police after six hours of waiting, broke open the lock of the guest house and forcibly shifted the fasting leaders to the hospital. The MLA and party general secretary refused to be administered medicine and take food till Thursday evening.
Mr Devineni made it clear that he would call off fast when the government gives clear assurance on withdrawing the statement on the formation of Telangana.
On the otherhand, over 50 Telugu Desam activists raised slogans in support of
Samaikya Andhra and staged a dharna in front of the ZP guest house for six hours. They tried several times to storm the guesthouse to see their leaders while the police foiled their attempt.
The high drama continued for six hours. Police maintained restraint and asked the protestors to leave the area.
Scuffles took place several times. Finally, about noonthe police broke open the lock and immediately shifted the two leaders to the hospital.
The TD activists desperately tried to prevent the police but in vain.
Under the supervision of DCP Mr Vijay Kumar, the two ACPs Mr Prakasa Rao and Mr Suresh Kumar, circle-inspectors and sub-inspectors tried to cool down the agitating TD functionaries.
The police opened the second gate and immediately shifted the two leaders in a vehicle to the government hospital. The angry protestors raised slogans of ‘Jai Samaikyandra’ and ‘KCR down down’ for more than five hours. The police removed the tent chair and dais by 1 pm.
The DCP said the doctors suggested for medication for the two leaders since the hunger strikeentered the fifth day on Thursday. The DCP said if the time is delayed the two leaders could have been affected by hypo-glucamia that could lead to coma.
The two TD leaders refused to take food and cooperate with the doctors for treatment. Nuzvid MLA Chinnam Ramkotaiah who was on hunger strike for the last four days was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.