Hyderabad: The state-wide bandh call given by the YSRC on Saturday to expose the failure of the TD to get special status for AP and the indifference of the Centre in granting the same to AP received maximum response in Rayalaseema and partial response in other districts of the state. The bandh had the support of Left parties and student organisations.
Barring minor incidents, the bandh was peaceful. Though a success in Rayalaseema, the bandh could not disrupt government services as the police arrested leaders across the state as a precautionary measure.
Most shops and establishments were open in Vijayawada. Demonstrators tried to stop buses from moving out of RTC depots in all the districts but they were arrested by the police.
YSRC workers, however, staged dharnas at police stations protesting the arrests which led to tension at several places.
In Rajahmundry, the YSRC workers laid a siege to the Prakashnagar police station protesting YSRC leaders being arrested in the morning.
Some forced their way into the police station and ransacked furniture. In the melee, a sub-inspector and two constables were injured.
The bandh saw a fair response in Guntur, East and West Godavari, and Nellore districts. Bus services were paralysed in the morning but were restored towards afternoon while banks, insurance companies, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closed in several parts of the state.
The YSRC meanwhile said that despite the ruling TD’s “repressive tactics” of making arrests and imposing Section 144, the bandh was a success.
"Despite Chandrababu Naidu trying his best to foil the bandh by misusing his official machinery, the response has been very good and the Chief Minister stands exposed as he has cancelled his Delhi trip and monitored the bandh, directing officials to impose Section 144 in all districts.
“However, the will of the people prevailed in the end. The fight will continue and we will take up the issue in the ensuing Assembly session," said YSRCP chief Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
He demanded that the TD come out of BJP-led NDA government to exert pressure on the Centre to give special status to AP.
