Bandh for special status peaceful, evokes mixed response

The state bandh called by the YSR Congress and Left parties for special category status to Andhra Pradesh was peaceful and partial in Chittoor town and all over western mandals, with no untoward incident reported from anywhere.

The YSR cadres led by Chittoor in-charge Jangalapalle Srinivasulu came on to the roads in the early hours and started enforcing the bandh though all the commercial and educational institutions voluntarily extended their solidarity with the stir.

In Nagari constituency, the bandh impact was felt considerably with the organisers blocking the routes between Chittoor district and Tamil Nadu.

In Nellore, the bandh evoked good response with shops and educational institutions closing down for the day in a show of solidarity.

YSRC MLAs and leaders came out on the roads early in the morning and appealed to the public to make the bandh a success.

At a demonstration at the RTC Bus Stand, Nellore Rural MLA and YSRC leader Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy appealed to all the organisations and political parties to set aside their affiliations over the issue of getting special status so that it would bring real development and jobs to the State.

350 held

In Prakasam, the bandh passed off peacefully and about 350 opposition party activists were taken into custody as they swarmed bus stations right from dawn to enforce the bandh across the district.

Prakasam district Special Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police U. Nagaraju said 20 cases were registered against the activists who also organised motorcycle rallies to highlight the injustice done to the beleaguered state by the Centre. Bus services were restored later in the day by deploying additional police personnel, APSRTC regional manager K. Adam Saheb said.

In Vizianagaram, scores of YSRC, Congress, CPI(M) and CPI cadres were arrested for staging protests and paralysing normal life across the district.

In East Godavari, the bandh got good response in Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada and other places.

Former Minister Pilli Subashchandra Bose staged dharna opposite Ramachandrapuram bus depot along with YSRC workers. He was taken into custody by the police. MLA Chirla Jaggi Reddy and other protestors were arrested at Ravulapalem depot. The first services of the RTC were disrupted as protestors gathered at the RTC complex in Rajamahendravaram and obstructed the buses. Morning shows in cinema theatres were cancelled. Schools were closed and some banks too did not function.