Secunderabad Municipal Corporation agitation to continue despite police action

Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav said the agitation for a Secunderabad Municipal Corporation had continued despite police action, asserting that arrests and intimidation had failed to weaken the movement.

Speaking at a press conference at his office in West Marredpally on Sunday, Srinivas Yadav said police had initially granted permission for a peaceful rally. However, he said the permission was cancelled late at night without any valid reason. Subsequently, he alleged, police made arrests and imposed restrictions to suppress a democratic protest.

He said the police action had instead strengthened the resolve of people demanding a separate Secunderabad Municipal Corporation. According to him, the agitation would continue until the government accepted the long-pending demand.

Srinivas Yadav said Secunderabad had a distinct identity rooted in its 220-year-old heritage and history. He added that the demand for a separate civic body reflected the city’s self-respect. He also accused the government of attempting to merge Secunderabad with the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation, a move he said people would oppose under any circumstances.

Secunderabad Municipal Corporation demand targets state government decisions

The BRS MLA criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. He alleged that the administration was taking arbitrary decisions and described its functioning as a “Tughlaq-style” approach. He questioned why the government had created the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation while, he said, ignoring Secunderabad’s civic requirements.

Srinivas Yadav claimed the Congress government had failed to prioritise development and had remained inactive for the last two years. He also released videos that he said showed police excesses during the rally, describing the actions as an abuse of power.

Outlining future plans, he said organisers would hold a larger rally in the first week of February, subject to court permission. He added that thousands of people were expected to participate. He also appealed to like-minded political parties and organisations to support the Secunderabad Municipal Corporation agitation.

Reiterating his stand, Srinivas Yadav said government pressure, arrests, or threats would not halt the movement. He said the demand for a Secunderabad Municipal Corporation would continue until justice was delivered to the people.