Educational institutions closed in Andhra Pradesh to protest attack on teachers
Pro-Telangana students accused of targeting educators from other regions
Hyderabad: All educational institutions, from schools to universities, remained closed in Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region on Monday as they protested an attack on a group of teachers from Osmania University, Hyderabad, three days ago.
The strike call was given by United Andhra Joint Action Committee and several other organisations of teachers and students to protest against the incidents in which the pro-Telangana students targeted teachers from other regions who had come for spot evaluation of their B. Ed examination papers.
The Andhra University in Visakhapatanam, Nagarjuna Sagar university in Guntur and Sri Venkateshwara University in Tirupati and all the institutions under them were closed. All schools and colleges in Vijayawada and several other cities observed the shutdown. At some places, even private institutions declared a holiday.
Students and teachers formed human chains and held demonstrations at many places to condemn the incident. The strike, however, passed off peacefully.
United Andhra JAC convenor Prof N. Samuel alleged that the pro-Telangana elements had adopted an uncivilised approach by attacking the teachers.
Apart from the Osmania University incident, he also expressed concern over an incident at Mahatma Gandhi University in Nalgonda where non-local candidates were prevented from attending the job interviews.
"If they don't change the attitude, they will be taught a befitting lesson", he said. Protesters demanded immediate arrest of the students involved in the attack.
Meanwhile in a related development, the Hyderabad city police raided the Osmania University campus around midnight yesterday and tried to arrest some students in connection with the attack.
However some other students prevented the police from taking them to the police station.
Tension prevailed in the campus after the police raid.
Students under the banner of OU Joint Action Committee also held a protest at the office of Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission demanding the postponement of Group I examination till a quota was specified for the candidates of Telangana region.
