The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Come, sit, protest...

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Come, sit, protest...

Staff Reporter

WE WILL ROCK YOU: Music artistes protest at Indira Park on Monday. Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: Indira Park might soon need a change of name. And Dharna Chowk, Dharnagunj or Dharnaguda could be among the favourite replacements.

The reason? With the Assembly in session, it's raining dharnas around Indira Park, a locality otherwise known for its serene environs. Monday was when residents of the surrounding areas and others passing by saw how appalling it could get.

Not one or two, but nine dharnas, with ear-splitting political songs, speeches and slogans, by activists of political parties, unions and outfits lay siege to the area, throwing traffic and normal life well off track through the day.

Political groups claiming affiliations to the left and right, some who were not sure where to lean towards, unions of washermen, construction workers and yes, a State association of Music Artistes too, vied for every inch of space beginning from the Indira Park gate, round the park and alongside the NTR Stadium.

As if the decibel levels of speechmakers were not enough, the music artistes added their own bit of protest - a noisy musical ensemble complete with drums and trumpets.

The area is poised for a much worse situation on Tuesday, when more groups are expected to descend on Indira Park to demand their rights.

While the police has given permission to nine dharnas, including an all-party protest on the Outer Ring Road issue, a few others who were denied permission are also expected to turn up, permitted or not. Amongst all the dust raised by dharnas, it is the police that have a tough time.

The area falls under the Central Zone, which has important set-ups including the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat. With nearly 75 per cent of time and manpower diverted to handle the dharnas, law and order duties take a backseat here, a senior police officer admits. "We are somehow managing with personnel from other zones, APSP, City Armed Reserve Police and others," the officer adds.

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Andhra Pradesh