Hyderabad: A high-level committee constituted by the Telangana government decided to identify Telangana movement activists under four separate categories as part of the state’s recognition process.
The committee held its first meeting on Sunday under the chairmanship of government adviser on public relations and education K. Keshava Rao. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MLC M. Kodandaram, MLC Addanki Dayakar, former MLC Ramulu Naik and Mothe Shobhan Reddy attended the meeting.
According to an official release, the committee decided to give first priority to those who lost their lives during the Telangana movement. The second category will include activists who suffered injuries during the agitation.
The third category will cover individuals who faced arrests, imprisonment or legal cases in connection with the movement. Meanwhile, the fourth category will include activists from different regions who participated actively at the grassroots level.
Telangana movement activists to undergo verification process
The committee suggested using newspaper clippings and related records to identify activists in the fourth category. Members also decided to invite proposals from civil society representatives who played important roles during the movement.
In addition, the panel resolved to hold consultations with activists associated with the 1969, 1972 and 1996 Telangana agitations. Officials said the discussions would help collect proposals and suggestions for the recognition process.
The government constituted the panel to frame strict guidelines for identifying genuine Telangana movement activists and prepare a comprehensive database for welfare support and state honours.
Committee members stated that the process would remain non-partisan and independent of political affiliations. They observed that the previous administration had extended support only to a limited section of activists.
The committee thanked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for constituting the panel officially. Members also decided to establish the committee office at Amaraveerula Jyothi in Hyderabad.
The panel further resolved to convene an all-party meeting shortly to seek proposals on recognising martyrs. It also decided to invite suggestions from the Telangana Movement Activists’ Joint Action Committee, employee unions, Artists’ JAC, Lawyers’ JAC, caste associations and district-level organisations linked to the movement.
The committee will also tour districts across the state to conduct public consultations and gather opinions from activists and organisations.