Bandh over special category status in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati (AP): A state-wide bandh called by a people’s forum for granting special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh is being observed today. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), though supporting the cause, decided to stay away from the agitation.

No untoward incidents, except burning of a motorbike in Tirupati, have been reported so far during the bandh called by the Andhra Pradesh Pratyeka Hoda Saadhana Samiti. The strike has been supported by all opposition parties, including the YSR Congress (YSRC) and Congress.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who reviewed the situation with top police officials, directed them to ensure that peace prevailed in the state. Educational institutions remained shut and examinations scheduled for the day have been postponed in view of the stir.

State Road Transport Corporation buses remained confined to the depots as protesters staged sit-ins and ‘road roko’ at various places. In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh Pratyeka Hoda Saadhana Samiti president Chalasani Srinivas, CPI and CPI(M) state secretaries K Ramakrishna and P Madhu organised a ‘dharna’ at the PN bus station.

In Visakhapatnam, YSR Congress MP V Vijayasai Reddy led the protest. YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy announced a day’s break to his ongoing ‘Padayatra’ (foot march) to monitor the bandh from his camp in Krishna district. The police said unidentified miscreants set a bike on fire outside the bus terminus in Tirupati town. 

The ruling Telugu Desam Party had withdrawn its ministers in the Union cabinet and walked out of the NDA after the BJP-led Centre denied special category status to Andhra Pradesh.