Telangana protests in New Delhi; 21 detained

Nine MLAs and an MP from Andhra Pradesh are among 21 protestors taken into preventive custody on Tuesday when about 100 activists gathered at high-security North Block violating prohibitory orders, as a meeting on Telengana issue was being held in the home ministry.

Catching the security officials off-guard in the VVIP area, the anti and pro-Telengana protestors gathered before the building and raised slogans.

About hundred activists were there when the meeting on Telengana issue was in progress. Police said 21 of them were taken into preventive custody, but were later released.

The North Block area, where any gathering is prohibited under section 144 of CrPC, became the hub of activity as supporters belonging to both the groups emerged from nowhere and started raising slogans and displaying placards.

However, the situation was brought under control as authorities rushed in more force to defuse the situation and took some of the protestors into custody.

The all-party meeting on the Telangana issue failed to break any fresh ground with parties divided on the creation of a separate state though indications emerged that there could be further discussions. It was attended by Congress, TDP, TRS, Praja Rajyam, CPI(M), CPI, BJP and MIM -- the eight registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh.