Date:26/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042650170100.htm

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Manda Krishna on fast, again

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) founder Manda Krishna on Friday evening launched yet another fast-unto-death demanding that the bill for categorisation of Scheduled Castes be introduced in the current session of Parliament.

He also wanted the Usha Mehra Commission’s report on SC classification to be submitted within a week.

“This is a last-ditch effort. We have no other go except fight to ensure that we do not lose another academic year,” he said, urging his cadres to be vigilant.

Among those who also sat on fast with Mr. Krishna were over half-a-dozen leaders representing Madiga sub-castes.

Keeps police guessing

The MRPS leader kept the media and the police guessing about the venue of his fast.

This time he chose a house belonging to a former Chief Engineer in Lakshmi Nagar, behind the Jubilee Bus Station in Secunderabad.

On hearing the news, police moved in, guarding all entrances to the small colony.

They kept an eye on the MRPS cadres, mostly women, all armed with plastic bottles full of kerosene.

They threatened to immolate themselves if the police moved in.