TRS bandh turns violent in Hyderabad, Telangana

Sporadic violence hit Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana region on Sunday, on the first day of the 48-hour bandh called by the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti, with protestors damaging bank ATMs, torching a hotel and indulging in vandalism to press for their demand for a separate state.

Normal life came to a grinding halt as the day coincided with the anniversary of Babri mosque demolition, which is observed as 'Black Day' by various groups.

A youth jumped to death from atop a water reservoir in Warangal, demanding the formation of Telangana state, officials said.

In Karimnagar district, Telangana supporters detained Hyderabad-bound Bhagyanagar Express while road blockades were also reported from other parts of the region. In Hyderabad, the protestors damaged two bank ATMs --one of Andhra Bank and another of Axis Bank -- at Ramanthapur, the police said, adding they also set afire a hotel at L B Nagar.

Armed police pickets have been posted in the twin cities while prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been clamped in several major towns of Telangana.

Scores of passengers were stranded on the roads as the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation cancelled services in view of the shutdown that began in the wee hours of Saturday.

The streets of the state capital wore a deserted look as shops remained closed. Agitators went on a rampage, throwing stones at the Punjagutta and Ameerpet localities of the city.

Meanwhile, the condition of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been on a fast for the last seven days demanding a separate Telangana state, remained 'stable', said authorities.