By IANS,
Hyderabad : The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), spearheading the movement for a separate state, has postponed the three-day rail blockade programme in the region to Oct 12, 13 and 14.
The JAC had earlier given a call for the blockade on Oct 9, 10 and 11.
JAC convenor M. Kodandaram told reporters Friday, after a meeting of the JAC steering committee, that they decided to postpone it in view of other protest programmes planned on those days.
The striking employees of the government and public sector units propose to stage ‘maha dharna’ in Hyderabad while JAC leaders plan to undertake a ‘yatra’ to show solidarity with the striking employees of Singareni Collieries.
Kodandaram said a final decision on the proposed programmes would be taken at the extended meeting of JAC Saturday.
“They have their strategy and we have our own,” said Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao when asked to comment on the decision of the state government and railways to operate the trains despite the call for blockade.
Kodandaram had earlier warned the government that it would be responsible for any consequences of forcibly operating the trains.
“The agitation will continue till the government of India makes a clear statement on formation of Telangana state,” Kodandaram said and urged the government not to use repressive measures against peaceful protestors.
The JAC’s move to postpone the rail blockade came even as a meeting attended by top government, police and railway officials decided to operate trains.
Director General of Police Dinesh Reddy said the police would provide necessary security to run the trains.
Earlier, Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa appealed to the JAC to call off the blockade to avoid any hardships to commuters.
A two-day rail blockade called by JAC last month had forced the railways to cancel all the trains.