Activists of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), including its Chairman, M Kodandaram, were taken into custody by the Telangana police near Basvapur in Kamareddy district on Friday, as they tried to launch a yatra.
Kodandaram and his supporters were all set for a two-day 'Amarula Spoorthi Yatra' (martyrs inspiration yatra), across Kamareddy and Nizamabad districts.
The rally sought to "highlight the failures and mistakes” being committed by the ruling TRS government in the state.
According to reports, tension prevailed as TRS activists blocked the TJAC leader's route and raised slogans of 'Kodandaram go back', at the main entrance to Kamareddy district.
Other reports add that they damaged flags and banners, vandalised tents, and even hurled eggs and stones, until the police stepped in to control the situation.
Stating that permission for the event was denied, the police detained Kodandaram and sent him back to Hyderabad. A case under section 151 CrPC (Preventive custody) was booked.
“It is very ridiculous. The yatra is intended to protect democratic values and remind the government that it was going in the wrong direction, forgetting the very inspiration of the Telangana movement, expectations of people and aspirations of martyrs. We will not stop our journey. The TRS leadership is acting against the very purpose of Telangana agitation,” Kodandaram later told mediapersons.
The incident spurred spontaneous protests in areas like Nizamabad, Banswada and Yellareddy by activists and students, who condemned the police action.
Meanwhile, TJC leaders plan to continue the yatra in Nizamabad on Saturday.