Normal life hit as bandh hits Telangana

A CRPF personnel stands guard as CPI activists protest near Sangareddy bus depot, as part of the Telangana bandh against the Polavaram Bill, in Medak district on Saturday. Photo: Mohammed Arif

Normal life was hit in several parts of Telangana State in response to a bandh call given by the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) and political parties against the passage of AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2014 transferring seven mandals in Bhadrachalam revenue division of Khammam district to Andhra Pradesh State.

Bandh was by and large peaceful till reports last came in barring an incident of stone pelting in Aswapuram in Khammam district, where some irate protesters rained stones on passing four-wheelers.

Khammam district, where the seven mandals are located, observed complete bandh with representatives of all parties coming on to the roads in the morning to enforce bandh. The agency areas of Bhadrachalam revenue division too observed complete shut-down. Reports from Warangal, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Medak indicated the bandh was peaceful and total.

APSRTC buses were off the road in all the 10 districts with protestors staging sit in front of the bus depots while TRS, Congress and Left parties workers took out rallies in several parts of the State. The MGBS and Jubilee Bus Stations in Hyderabad and Secunderabad wore a deserted look as the 4,500 and odd buses remained in the depots.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in many towns while the managements of private educational institutions and Government schools and colleges declared a holiday. Counselling for admission into Post Graduate courses following OUCET was put off by a day in view of the bandh, according to OU Registrar. Banks were also closed in many parts of the State including Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

T-JAC representatives and political party workers burnt an effigy of the Central Government in RTC Cross roads in Hyderabad. Addressing a protest rally, T-JAC chairman Prof Kodandaram said Centre was doing injustice to the two States. “How can Centre construct the project by constructing the project and submerging vast tribal areas and displacing lakhs of tribals. The project is aimed at benefitting the contractors to the tune of Rs. 20,000 crore,” he alleged.