Protests against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh gained momentum on Thursday with supporters of unified State enforcing the closure of various Government offices, business establishments, educational institutions and suspension of RTC buses while pressure mounted on Central and State Ministers and Members of Parliament and MLAs of all parties to resign their posts and take to the streets along with the common people without further delay. An RTC bus was stoned by the protestors and the police quickly brought the situation under control by dispersing the irate mob.
The Samaikhyandhra political and student Joint Action Committees, A.P NGOs’ Association and other civic society organisations warned politicians against softening their stand lest the process of formation of Telangana should start taking tangible shape.
A large number of supporters of unified State staged protests at Lodge Centre, Sankar Vilas Centre and NTR bus station demanding that the decision to form Telangana State should be taken back.
Employees of Guntur Municipal Corporation and various Government departments abstained from duties.
In the evening, it has been resolved by the Joint Action Committees to organise blockade of National and State highways on August 2 and hold rallies across the district on the next day and also lay siege to residences of MLAs of all parties to give a fillip to the unified State movement which has just begun taking a serious turn.
Protests were held by various sections in Bapatla, Chilakaluripet, Tenali and other towns also as the anti-Telangana voices grew louder.
A large number of security forces, including Rapid Action Force and Andhra Pradesh Special Police, were deployed at all important public places as a precautionary measure.
Published - August 02, 2013 11:22 am IST
