Date:15/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/15/stories/2008061554040400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Agnivesh favours creation of smaller States like Telangana

Asks Gujjars to call off their agitation
Seeks judicial enquiry into firing on agitators

HYDERABAD: Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh, while backing the demand of Gujjars for ST status, has insisted that their leaders give up the agitation, which is resulting in ‘harassment’ of people and economic loss.

At a press conference here on Saturday, the social activist whose mediation has been sought to tide over the crisis arising out of the agitation, maintained that talks between Gujjar leaders and Rajasthan government could be held only after the agitation was called off. He described the occupation of the rail track and traffic blockade by the agitators as ‘blackmail’.

Huge loss

Swami Agnivesh denounced the ‘destruction’ of public property as also the blockade which was causing loss of crores of rupees to the public exchequer.

He demanded a judicial enquiry into firing on the agitators which claimed 39 lives.

The Arya Samaj leader, who addressed a ‘national integration-cum-personality development camp for youth, jointly organised by the AP unit of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and Bonded Labour Liberation Front, supported creation of smaller States such as Telangana.

He stated that smaller States would result in real development and cited the example of the European Union.

He advocated formation of a similar union in South Asia, including India, Nepal and Pakistan.