Reservation agitation: Over 60 Telangana advocates arrested

Tension prevailed at the Andhra Pradesh high court premises in Hyderabad today when several slogan-shouting Telangana advocates, who tried to barge into the court premises, were prevented by the police and arrested.

More than 60 Telangana advocates were arrested by police as they tried to violate the decision of the standing committee constituted by the high court that prohibited dharnas, sloganeering and agitation in the court premises.

The advocates abused policemen and virtually tried to manhandle the cops on duty. The Telangana advocates contended that the standing committee directions were not judicial orders and they will not abide by them.

However, police personnel who were present in large numbers overpowered the protesting advocates and arrested them who were later taken outside high court premises.

In the melee, a cameraman of a television channel was allegedly assulated by cops and his camera was also damaged in the incident.

Commenting on the incident a senior police officer said they will register a case and will identify those behind the incident.

As part of the protest the telangana advocate took out a rally from Namapally to high court and tried to barge into the court demanding that they be allowed inside court premises.

Meanwhile, scores of Telanagana advocates also held a sit-in near high court premises in support of their demand.

Advocates from Telangana, who have demanded 42% 'share' in recruitment to the posts of government pleaders, assistant government pleaders and standing counsels for various corporations in the high court, have been boycotting court proceedings at the high court, Nampally Criminal Court and in Telangana districts since Tuesday last, even as indefinite hunger strike launched by three advocates continued for the fifth day today.