Govt considering lifting cases against students

HYDERABAD: The government is considering the request of Telangana and Seemandhra leaders to withdraw the cases booked against the students who participated in the Telangana and Samaikhyandhra agitations. 

But, the cases booked for damaging private properties are unlikely to be withdrawn. 

The issue came up at a meeting home minister Sabita Indra Reddy had with DGP K Aravind Rao on Friday evening. 

Telangana leaders, cutting across party lines, have been demanding withdrawal of the cases against students. Union home minister P Chidambaram had even assured Lok Sabha that all the cases would be withdrawn. Recently, the state government had appointed a committee to explore the possibility of lifting the cases. Home minister and DGP met reportedly to discuss the recommendation of the committee. 

Out of a total 3,567 cases booked during the agitation that started in December 2009, about 790 cases are likely to be lifted. 

Legal experts were being consulted on lifting the cases, home minister told media after the meeting. She said the announcement may come in a couple of days. 

However, the T Congress leaders V Hanumantha Rao, Mahdu Yaski Goud, G Vivek, Manda Jagannadham, Gutha Sukhender Reddy (all MPs) K R Amose (MLC), B Kamalakar Rao (PCC spokesperson), Palvai Goverdhan Reddy (former ministers) demanded that all the cases should be lifted as per the assurance given by Chidambaram in Parliament.