Rosaiah plea for calm in House, outside

Chief Minister K Rosaiah assured the House on Monday that steps were being taken to contain violence in the Old City, which witnessed violence since Saturday evening leaving 36 persons injured in stone-pelting incidents which also caused destruction to several vehicles.

Addressing the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said every effort was being made to maintain peace in the Old city.  However, additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel sent by the Centre, were being deployed to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas. At least 70 people were taken to custody after the violent incidents.

"We are monitoring and reviewing the situation regularly and also talking to the Centre on this. The Centre has sent 10 companies (about 1000 personnel) of paramilitary forces on my request to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram," Rosaiah said.

The Chief Minister indicated that he had a telephonic talk with Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi who expressed concern over the violence in the Old City. The Government has called for an all-party meeting on Monday morning to discuss the situation and the measures being taken to contain the violence in the city.

 Earlier, Speaker Kiran Kumar adjourned the house for 15 minutes following rockus created by the Opposition demanding a discussion on the Old City situation.

Unless the members maintain peace in the House, we cannot expect the city to remain calm, the Chief Minister urged the agitated members over the situation in the City.