Protests by various organisations, meetings and dharnas continued on Sunday even as the Samaikyandhra agitation is set to enter a crucial phase with strike of NGOs and Revenue employees from Monday midnight.
At the Railway Station a heavy police presence, including RAF, nipped in the bud the slightest attempt at a “rail roko” right in the morning.
The activists were stopped at the entry into the railway station itself around 6:30 a.m. Police were also present in large numbers on the platforms too.
Samaikyandhra activist J.T. Rama Rao who had arrived first and made a protest walking on the knees was taken into custody. Later Samaikyandhra Yuvatha JAC convener Adari Kishore Kumar was taken into custody as soon as he arrived. Later, TDP activists led by urban president Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar also protested at the entry to the Railway Station in support of Samaikyandhra.
YSRC meeting
At a meeting organised by YSRC on the Beach Road at Potti Sriramulu statue, MP Sabbam Hari flayed the Congress for taking a “political decision” to bifurcate the State.
He said the political game of both the parties was up as people saw through it and only Jaganmohan Reddy could provide leadership to the State, he said.
While TDP founder NTR was a strong votary of united State, his successors took a U turn, he stated. He announced that a “padayatra” would be taken out in the North Andhra districts to strengthen the cause of united State.
Former MLA K. Ravibabu, party leaders G.V. Ravi Raju, Kola Guruvulu, P. Uma Rani, B. Jagadish and S. Ramakrishna Reddy were among those who participated. Earlier, the leaders performed a “palabhishekam” to the statue of Potti Sriramulu and garlanded it.
After the meeting, Mr. Hari and the other leaders walked up to YSR statue near Palm Beach hotel and garlanded it.
Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy performed a “palabhishekam” to the statue of former prime minister Indira Gandhi at Jail Road junction. City Congress president Behera Bhaskara Rao, Mahila Congress president Pedada Ramana Kumari and former corporator Banala Srinivasa Rao participated.
BC sangham dharna
At the Gandhi statue near GVMC, Greater Visakha BC Sangham organised a dharna in support of united State. MLAs Tyanala Vijay Kumar, Velagapudi Ramakrishnababu and G. Rama Naidu, Bharanikana Rama Rao (TDP), City Congress president Behera Bhaskara Rao and P. Diwakar (YSRCP) and sangham president Narava Rambabu participated.
NMU protests
APSRTC National Mazdoor Union continued its relay fasts for the seventh day at Maddilapalem in which 35 workers from various depots participated.
The union condemned the arrest of JAC leaders at the Railway Station in the morning. NMU Vizianagaram Zone secretary P.V.V. Mohan spoke.
NMU activists also organised a silent rally by gagging themselves with a black cloth and carrying placards.
