Hyderabad: A day-long shutdown began in Andhra Pradesh Monday on a call given by Dalit groups to protest the recent desecration of statues of B.R. Ambedkar.
Schools, colleges, shops and business establishments remained closed in many districts while protestors blocked roads to stop buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).
Student organistaions, especially Osmania University student Joint Action Committee has also called for a shutdown to protest the desecration of statues in Amlapuram and other parts of East Godavari district.
Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), left parties, and people's organizations have extended their support for the bandh.
Police in Hyderabad are on high alert after three vehicles were burnt by protestors Sunday night.
A private bus was set afire at Chilkalguda in Secunderabad early Monday. Earlier, a bus of APSRTC was torched in Ramanthapur while a private van was destroyed in Tarnaka.
Police have sealed all the routes around Osmania University in Hyderabad to prevent students from taking out a rally.
Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) and students groups have planned protests in Hyderabad.
Three people were arrested for damaging the Ambedkar statues.
According to the police, the accused resorted to the act in an inebriated condition and ruled out conspiracy by any political or caste group.
IANS
First Published: Monday, January 30, 2012, 10:27