The bandh observed by the TRS and supported by votaries of separate statehood movement against the Centre’s callous attitude in announcing a roadmap for formation of Telangana at Friday’s all-party meeting evoked a near total response in some Telangana districts.
While the shutdown was total in Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak and Khammam districts, it drew a good response in other parts of the region with pro-Telangana activists taking out protest rallies and staging demonstrations at several places.
State-owned buses confined to the bus depots since morning as the TRS cadre squatted in front of the depots.
APSRTC resumed services for the long distances only towards evening as several bus stations in the region wore a deserted look.
The TRS cadre and police entered into scuffles at several places when the rallyists tried to stage road blockades. A group that burnt the effigy of the Central government at the busy Khairatabad junction here was arrested and shifted to Goshamahal stadium. The TRS MLA, T. Harish Rao, and some activists were arrested when they staged a sit-in near the Jubilee Bus Station.
The police resorted to a lathicharge and dispersed the TRS and YSR Congress activists when they entered into a confrontation at Jammikunta in Karimnagar district.
Trouble broke out due to slogan-shouting by TRS supporters against the rival party.
The police intensified security at the YSR Congress headquarters here when it was learnt that students of Osmania University were heading there to target the party leaders for their anti-Telangana stand at the all-party meeting.
A statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the flagpost of the Congress were damaged by pro-Telangana supporters at the AMC grounds in Bellampally town of Adilabad district.
Activists of a student organisation who tried to lay a siege to the house of Congress MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud were arrested in Nizamabad.
