Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Dec 1 (IANS) A day after abruptly ending his “fast unto death”, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao Tuesday claimed he was continuing the hunger strike at a hospital in Andhra Pradesh’s Khammam town.
Facing the ire of people fighting for a separate state of Telangana, Rao alleged that he was forcibly administered a saline drip at the government-run hospital and that he had not taken any thing since Monday night.

Confusion prevailed in TRS ranks as the party leader launched a damage control exercise by alleging that the jail staff and doctors broke his fast as part of a conspiracy .

KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, told reporters Tuesday at the hospital that he would continue the fast at any cost and would call it off only if the government agreed to carving out a separate state.

“I will continue the battle till the last drop of my blood,” he said appealing to people not to believe rumours.

KCR was shifted to hospital from the Khammam sub-jail Monday evening after his condition deteriorated. He had launched the fast Sunday soon after he was arrested near Karimnagar town.

The TRS leader was sent to jail for 14 days when he was heading to Siddipet in Medak district to launch the “fast unto death” .

His arrest sparked violent protests by TRS cadres, students and other pro-Telangana sections across the region, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad. The shutdown called by TRS Monday paralysed normal life in the region.

At least three people committed suicide while two others were battling for life after attempting self-immolation to protest KCR’s arrest. TRS leaders claimed that five people committed suicide.

KCR Monday evening broke his fast saying he was doing this to prevent further loss of lives. A doctor offered him fruit juice in the presence of some party leaders.

However, his move evoked angry reactions, especially amongst students who had been staging violent protests on the campuses of the Osmania University here and the Kakatiya University in Warangal.

They burnt his effigy and alleged that KCR betrayed the Telangana cause. Revolutionary balladeer Gaddar demanded that KCR apologise to the people of the region for the betrayal.