M A I N   N E W S

Telangana backlash
Seemandhra on the edge
Protests hit transport services; Jagan on indefinite fast from today
Suresh Dharur/TNS

Hyderabad, October 4
Normal life was thrown out of gear in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh, jointly referred to as Seemandhra, following protests against the Centre’s decision to bifurcate the state.

Protesters burn tyres against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in Vijayawada on Friday. The YSR Congress Party is observing a 72-hour shutdown in the state. — PTI

Transport services were disrupted and shops and business establishments remained closed in the region, spanning 13 districts, in response to a 72-hour shutdown call given by YSR Congress Party and a 48-hour bandh call given by various pro-united AP organisations.

The protesters took to the streets and resorted to arson and stone pelting, directing their ire against the ruling Congress leaders for failing to stall the division of the state.

The Union Home Ministry instructed the state government to remain on alert, particularly in the Seemandhra region. Apprehending protests from those opposing bifurcation, the Centre has already dispatched 2,500 paramilitary personnel to assist the local police to deal with the situation.

YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy said he would launch an indefinite fast tomorrow to protest against the Centre’s “unilateral and undemocratic” decision to divide the state.

Jagan said a delegation of party leaders would meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow seeking his intervention.

TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu is also planning to go on a fast.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool. The protesters targeted residences of several Union and state ministers and MPs.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy reviewed the law and order situation in the state with in-charge DGP Prasada Rao, Home Secretary and senior police officials and asked the police to handle the situation with restraint.

The Chief Minister went into a huddle with his ministerial colleagues, MPs, MLAs and MLCs from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions and vowed to “defeat” the resolution when it comes up before the Assembly. Sources said the Chief Minister advised his colleagues not to resign at this juncture.