Chittoor observes total bandh

Tirupati, Dec. 11: The Rayalaseema bandh called by pro-Samaikhyandra agitators was total and peaceful in Chittoor district, but for sporadic incidents.

One APSRTC bus each was completely burnt at the Tirupati and Srikalahasti bus station premises, while 20 more buses, including 16 Tamil Nadu state buses, were damaged partially in stone pelting.

Till 6 pm, all roads and streets in the pilgrim town wore a deserted look with all business establishments and educational institutions closing down shutters voluntarily.

Nearly 3,000 police personnel and 500 more CRPF force were pressed into service for bandobast.

Hundreds of vehicles went off the national and state highways towards Bengaluru, Chennai and Nagpur.

At Kuppam, about 1,000 lorries bound for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were stranded.

The protestors stopped buses bound for Tirumala. Pilgrims bound for Srikalahasti and Kanipakkam were also put to inconvenience.

The Kadapa-Nellore zone of the APSRTC incurred a loss of Rs 3 crore due to cancellation of 5,625 RTC bus services and another Rs 15 lakh loss was incurred due to damage of buses by the agitators, according to the zonal executive director’s secretary, Mr S. Rammohan Rao.

Out of 6,100 bus services operating in six districts, 475 buses were operated at Nellore and Tirupati for the convenience of Tirumala pilgrims, he added.