HYDERABAD: TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday criticised that the Government delayed taking action against Osmania University Inspector and Sub-Inspector who arrested students and professors on the campus on Wednesday while they were celebrating Holi.

Mr. Naidu told reporters that the furore in the Assembly could have been avoided had Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Home Minister K. Jana Reddy called for immediate report. The delaying tactic was one way for the Government to avoid debate on the controversial Sripadasagar project, he said.

"The Government wants to avoid any discussion on the project and hence allowed opposition parties to raise the Osmania University issue," Mr. Naidu said. There was no provocation for the police to rush to the university and take into custody students and professors. "By resorting to such acts the Government is building up tension on campuses across the State," he added.

Police behaviour decried

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs - G. Chinna Reddy, T. Jeevan Reddy and M. Mukesh - at a separate press conference condemned the behaviour of the two police officers. Mr. Chinna Reddy questioned what prompted them to visit Arts College where students and professors were celebrating Holi.

"Was it not their duty to seek the permission of top university officials before taking into custody those who had gathered?" Mr. Chinna Reddy asked. Mr. Jeevan Reddy objected to the manner in which some political parties were trying to derive political mileage from the issue.

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