HYDERABAD: Normal life was
paralysed in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh as the
48-hour bandh in protest against the Union Cabinet's decision to bifurcate
Andhra Pradesh began on Friday morning.
Andhra
Pradesh chief minister N.Kiran Reddy has convened an emergency meeting on
Friday afternoon with ministers, MPs, MLCs and MLAs from coastal Andhra and
Rayalaseema to discuss the developments following the Cabinet's decision.
The united-Andhra supporters
blocked highways and enforced closure of shops and other commercial
establishments and educational institutions in the two regions.
The protesters organized
rallies and sit-ins at important junctions at several towns.
The pro-united Andhra employees
of Andhra Pradesh government, including the staff of state-run Andhra Pradesh
State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), have already been on strike since
mid-August.
Sporadic incidents of public
and private property, including offices of ruling Congress, being attacked also
came in from districts like Srikakulam, Kadapa and Chittoor.
The 48-hour shutdown was called
by the Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) and other united-Andhra
supporters. YSR Congress called for a 72-hour bandh separately.
A clash took place in Anantapur
district between the workers of TDP and YSR Congress in the town. TDP MLA
Paritala Sunita alleged that YSRCP activists tried to stop them during a
protest and also threw stones.
Union
HRD minister MM pallam Raju and filmstar-turned-politician and
tourism minister Chiranjeevi have offered to quit protesting the Cabinet
decision on Thursday night.
Media reports said some
Congress MPs and other senior leader are contemplating quitting the Congress in
protest against the move to divide Andhra Pradesh. (TOI -4TH Oct
2013) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Telangana-approval-Normal-life-hit-in-Seemandhra-amid-bandh/articleshow/23508404.cms