Bandh for special status affects normal life in Andhra Pradesh

The Congress and Left parties extended support to the day-long shutdown called by YSR Congress.

Vijayawada: The state-wide bandh, called by main opposition YSR Congress demanding that the Centre grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh, affected normal life with business activity coming to a standstill and educational institutions remaining shut.

The Congress and Left parties extended support to the day-long shutdown.

Scores of opposition workers were taken into custody by police in several areas across the state as they tried to organise protests and prevent plying of state-run transport corporation buses.

State Road Transport Corporation suspended its services as a precautionary measure to prevent any damage.

While educational institutions declared a holiday, banks and other commercial establishments did not open their shutters.

In Vijayawada, YSRC workers were taken into custody when they staged a protest outside the bus station and prevented movement of buses.

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party MLA from Ponnuru in Guntur district sat on a day-long "deeksha" at the statue of Acharya N G Ranga in the town demanding that the BJP government honour its promise and grant special status to AP.

"It is the responsibility of the Centre to support the state by all means as it suffered heavily because of the irrational bifurcation," Narendra said.

In Vizianagaram, YSR Congress workers staged protests outside deports of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). They also protested on national highways, police said.

YSR Congress MLC Veerabhara Swamy, along with party workers, staged a protest outside an APSRTC depot in Vizianagaram town and the MLC was later taken into preventive custody, I-Town Sub-Inspector G Venkataraman said.

45 other YRS Congress workers were detained in Vizianagaram city, the officer said.

APSRTC officials said bus services have improved later in the day.

Police said no untoward was reported so far.