The city and other important towns of Krishna district witnessed total and peaceful bandh on Friday in response to a call given by some organisations fighting for a united Andhra Pradesh.
A curfew-like atmosphere prevailed on the main roads and business localities of Vijayawada, as traders and businessmen voluntarily downed their shutters in protest against the Centre’s announcement about initiating the process of carving out a separate State of Telangana.
Though the call for observing the bandh in the city was initially given by Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Samithi, an organisation floated by few advocates, intellectuals and traders sympathetic to the Congress, it was enforced with zeal by political leaders and activists of all political parties, including the opposition TDP and the Praja Rajyam.
Mayor M.V. Ratna Bindu and the Congress corporators who had announced their resignations staged a rail roko by stopping Kerala Express for a while. They denounced the role played by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao and called for staying united.
All educational institutions were closed down, and APSRTC suspended all its services as a precautionary measure. Work in the local courts were boycotted by the advocates.
The protagonists of united Andhra Pradesh prevailed upon the Krishna District Cricket Association to reschedule an under-19 cricket match between Andhra and Haryana for Cooch Behar trophy, which would now begin on Saturday.
