Tension escalates on Millennium March

By Our Special Correspondent

Will the September 1 action prove to be a replay of the February 2 success of the employee unions' 'Chalo Vijayawada'? Learning from the bitter experience of February 1, the police have virtually taken over the city and its outskirts. Officials said that under no circumstances will the Millennium March be successful as it does not have any permits.

Government employees are organizing Millennium March demanding cancellation of Central Pension Scheme. As per the promise given by the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during the Padayatra, the old pension system should be restored.

The employees and public representatives of the government held meetings on this issue many times and demanded to bring a new scheme in place of CPS, but they are unable to restore the old pension system. Rejecting this proposal, the employees called for the Millennium March.

Vijayawada police have been conducting searches in all hotels and lodges in the city for the past three days. Police along with APSP, AR and Civil Police took out a huge flag march in the city.

As the Ganesh Chaturthi festival falls on August 31, a day before the march, the entry of protesters in the guise of devotees into the city worries the police. On the other hand, the employee unions say that they have no intention of taking back their decision and have their own strategies to make the protest successful.

Over 5,000 policemen have been deployed for patrolling and vigilance duties in the city. Along with this, central forces and paramilitary forces will also be deployed.

It is reported that Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kanti Rana Tata, Eluru Range DIG G. Pala Raju and Guntur Range DIG Trivikrama Verma have issued orders not to give permission for the march.

Special attention has been paid to railway stations and inter-district bus stations, strict checks of vehicles have been undertaken at check posts and toll gates.