175-km-long human chain in Srikakulam

Two lakh participate; Dharmana joins chain; traffic disrupted on NH-16

JOINING HANDS: Women participating in the human chain in Srikakulam district. Photo: Basheer

Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Vedika, a body representing all the sections, organised a 175-km-long human chain in Srikakulam district on Saturday.

As many as two lakh people joined hands in arguably the longest human chain starting from Pydibhimavaram to Itchapuram, covering all the major towns such as Srikakulam, Narasannapeta, Tekkali, Palasa and Sompeta.

AP NGOs Association State Associate president Chowdary Purushottam Naidu, Vedika president Hanumanthu Sairam and others expressed happiness over the success of the event while hoping that the Union government would understand the sentiments of Seemandhra people and put the division proposal in abeyance.

Former minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and Congress leaders also participated in the human chain near ‘Appannamma temple’ at Pedapadu junction.

Vehicular traffic on the National Highway-16 was disrupted right from the early hours. The scorching sun did not deter people from participating in the human chain. People from all walks of life including children, women and senior citizens enthusiastically participated from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Initial hiccups

After overcoming the initially hiccups, the Vedika leaders managed to garner the support of all the villagers residing near National Highway-16.

All the participants raised ‘Jai Samaikyandhra’ and ‘Sonia down down’ slogans after formation of the human chain. Ambulance and water facilities were provided at the site.

Welfare schemes

Many of them stated that the government cannot implement welfare schemes such as Rs.1-a-kg rice scheme, Arogyasri, fee reimbursement and pension scheme as funds will not be available after bifurcation of the State.