Bandh against move to form Telangana paralyses life in AP
The day-long bandh called by various political parties to protest the Centre's decision to initiate the process of formation of separate Telangana state paralysed life across coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.
The shut down was peaceful and complete in the coastal city of Vijayawada where Congress, TDP and Praja Rajyam held road blockades, rail roko and hunger fasts at various places.
Thousands of people had a tough time as the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) cancelled its services to a number of places.
Vijayawada City Mayor Ratnabindu, former mayor T Sakuntala and other Congress leaders and activists organised rail roko and stopped the Thiruvanantapuram-bound Kerala Express at the Vijayawada railway station for 15 minutes.
Police made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents.
In Krishna district, activists of Congress, Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam held protests at several towns and villages.
As many as 49 Zilla Parishad (ZP) members along with ZP chairman K Nageswara Rao submitted their resignations in protest against the Centre's decision to grant Telangana state.
Educational institutions, banks, ATMs, shops and other business establishments remained closed in Krishna district. Vijayawada is a part of Krishna district.
In Visakhapatnam, a group of Andhra University students launched a fast unto death. Several other students observed relay hunger strike to express solidarity to them. Rallies and other forms of protest were also held in the port city.
Chief Minister K Rosaiah said in the state assembly that police entered the university and tried to ensure that no law and order situation arose.
A number of public representatives of the local bodies offered to quit in East Godavari district. Most of the ZP and mandal parishad members have resigned, a report from Kakinada said.
