Don't pay taxes, boycott Census: Telangana JAC

The Telangana political Joint Action Committee on Friday asked people in the region to boycott the Census, refrain from paying taxes and observe a shutdown as part of the non-cooperation agitation from February 17. The JAC has planned the agitation in support of its demand for early introduction of a bill for the formation of separate Telangana.

The JAC would announce the details of the non-cooperation agitation in the villages on February 13 and hold rallies on February 14, JAC convener M Kodandaram told reporters in Hyderabad.

A jail bharo programme would be undertaken on February 15 by the JAC that comprises the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, the Bharatiya Janata Party and various pro-Telangana organisations. Seeking to mount pressure on the ruling Congress and main Opposition Telugu Desam Party Members of Legislative Assembly, JAC members have decided to hold protests outside their homes on February 16.

"The MLAs should put pressure on the government towards taking a favourable decision on the demand for Telangana. That is the idea of holding a dharna outside the houses of Congress and TDP MLAs," he said.

The JAC had earlier asked the Congress and TDP MLAs to join the non-cooperation agitation, failing which they will also face non-cooperation.

From February 17, people should not buy tickets in public transport buses, not pay taxes and bills for electricity, not pay toll tax on highways, not pay house tax among others, Kodandaram appealed.

The JAC would organise picketing outside central government offices on February 18 to send their message across to the Centre. It will be followed by road blockades on February 19 and blocking of the busy Hyderabad - Vijayawada national highway on February 20.

The effigies of the MLAs, who have not supported the demand for Telangana, would be burnt on February 21 and a complete shut-down would be observed on February 22, Kodandaram said. On the non-cooperation agitation posing trouble for Telangana people, he agreed that some difficulties may have to be faced by them.

"However, for the liberation of Telangana, people should be ready to face such difficulties," Kodandaram added.

The JAC had earlier met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and informed him about the 'non-cooperation movement'.