Unemployed youth taken into custody at Gandhi Bhavan

Under the aegis of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), a call was given by the unemployed youth to protest at Gandhi Bhavan. Sensing trouble, a heavy police force was deployed at the venue early in the morning.

Hyderabad: Police continued its high-handedness over unemployed youth and tension prevailed at Gandhi Bhavan here on Sunday as many were prevented from staging a protest at the Telangana Congress headquarters demanding the State government to scrap GOMs 29.

Under the aegis of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), a call was given by the unemployed youth to protest at Gandhi Bhavan. Sensing trouble, a heavy police force was deployed at the venue early in the morning.

The youth argued that while they were staging a protest against GOMs 29 peacefully at their hostels, the police had entered and caned several youngsters on Friday and Saturday. Protesting against the police high-handedness, OUJAC leader Motilal Naik had announced that he would stage a protest at Gandhi Bhavan.

But even before the OUJAC leaders and Group I aspirants reached Gandhi Bhavan, the police prevented them from heading towards the Congress office and took them into custody.

In a video message that he shared on social media platforms, OUJAC leader Motilal Naik is seen saying that he was caned by the police and was being shifted to another location.

He urged all the unemployed youth to stage peaceful protests at their respective places. This was not just about reservation issues but also about constitutional rights. GO Ms 29 was against the reservations of SC, ST and BC candidates, he added.

The State government has been facing fierce criticism from all sections for failing to address the appeals of unemployed youth. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud had held a meeting with a few Ministers and senior officials at BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s residence here on Saturday. During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the demands raised by the youngsters and resolved to ensure that no injustice would be delivered to candidates from any community. To this effect, elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the Group I main exams from Monday.