Hyderabad: The anti-Telangana protesters
went on a rampage in Anantapur district on Saturday setting afire
large quantities of BSNL cables, even as bandhs and series of
demonstrations continued for the second day in coastal Andhra
and Rayalseema regions against bifurcation of the state.
Police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse students
and others after they set on fire telephone cables at a BSNL
office near Itikalapalli, Anantapur District Superintendent
of Police, Murugesh Kumar Singh told agency.
"The situation in Anantapur district is tense, but under
control. The fire has been brought under control," he said,
adding "some hooligans are trying to take advantage of the
situation, but the police has kept a strict vigil."
Students of Srikrishna Devaraya University and those
favouring a united Andhra Pradesh took out rallies and raised
slogans in different parts of the district.
In Vijayawada city, cutting across partylines, Congress,
TDP and PRP activists organised rallies, dharnas and also held
relay hunger strikes for `one Andhra`, even as business
establishments, shops and banks in commercial areas remained
closed.
Agitators resorted to `rail roko`, resulting in delayed
running of trains, a Railways official said, adding "speed
restrictions were imposed on all routes."
Bandhs and protests, which broke out after the Centre`s
nod to initiate process for formation of separate Telangana
state, hit normal life in Visakhapatnam. The protesters also
resorted to rasta-roko and burnt effigies.
The fast-unto-death by several students continued while
Andhra University students took out rallies and resorted to
rasta roko in support of their demand for `Samaikya Andhra
Pradesh` (United Andhra Pradesh) in Visakahaptnam city. "The
bandh is peaceful and incident-free in Visakhapatnam," a
police official said.
Protesters held road blockades and rail roko at several
places in Kurnool, but it`s not a bandh-like situation,
Kurnool district Superintendent of Police Ch Srikant told PTI.
"Students are holding relay and indefinite fasts in
different places. The situation is under control," he said.
A report from Kadapa district said two middle-aged
persons in Ramapuram, died of cardiac arrest allegedly after
hearing news over division of Andhra Pradesh. However, a
senior police officer could not confirm it.
The situation is "peaceful", he said, adding protest
rallies were held in different towns of Kadapa district.
Passengers had a tough time as Andhra Pradesh State Road
Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspended services in coastal
Andhra and Rayalaseema regions even as protesters damaged two
buses at Mydukur depot in Kadapa district.
"As many as 1,300 APSRTC buses were off the road in
Vijayawada alone," an RTC official said.
PTI
