Hyderabad, Feb 20 (IANS) There was high tension at the Osmania University campaus here Saturday as hundreds of students began a march towards the state assembly over the Telangana issue but were stopped by the police and paramilitary forces.

Violating prohibitory orders, the students began the rally at Arts College on the university campus but were stopped by the police at Vidyanagar, just outside the campus and about 15 km from the assembly building.

Raising slogans of 'Jai Telangana' amid drumbeats, the students tried to force their way through several barricades erected by the police.

Over 1,000 students were to march to lay siege to the assembly, demanding the resignation of all elected representatives from Telangana over the demand for separate statehood.

Earlier, the students damaged window panes of vice chancellor Tirupati Rao's car when he tried to persuade them not to take out a rally. The vice chancellor advised students to hold a peaceful protest within the campus.

Tension also prevailed at Nizam College near the assembly building as police closed the gates of the college and the hostel to prevent students from coming out.

A similar situation prevailed at City College on the banks of Musi River in the old city where students were prevented from taking out a rally by police.