TRS shutdown disrupts normal life in Andhra Pradesh

Normal life was thrown out of gear at several places across Andhra Pradesh on Monday due to the shutdown called by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi to protest the arrest of their leader K Chandrasekhar Rao, who continued his fast in prison.

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport cancelled its bus services in Hyderabad and other Telangana districts like Medak, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Warangal, leaving many commuters stranded. Many educational institutions and business establishments remained closed in the city due to the bandh. TRS leaders and activists squatted in front of bus stations in various districts in Telangana region resulting in severe disruption of services.

"We are expressing our protest by sitting in front of bus stations. People of Telangana are moved by the arrest of Chandrasekhara Rao. TV footage of lathicharge on students and TRS workers is disturbing. We are getting voluntary support from employees, teachers, students, businessmen and all sections of the society," senior TRS legislator T Harish Rao claimed at Siddipet.

Chandrasekara Rao, meanwhile, continued his fast in prison at Khammam for a separate Telangana. "His (Chandrasekhar Rao's) health is being monitored round-the-clock by a team of doctors from Khammam government hospital as well as specialists from Warangal. His blood pressure is under control," Parimala Nutan, Additional Superintendent of Police of Khammam district said.
 
Harish Rao appealed to party men and supporters to observe restrain and not to resort to violence. However, there were reports of bandh supporters damaging buses in Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Karimnagar and other places in the region. Private buses coming from coastal districts bore the burnt of the bandh supporters at few places. A report from Karimnagar said TRS leaders blocked roads and staged demonstrations in front of the bus stations there.

Road transport corporation employees have expressed their support to the dharna staged by the TRS leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party is also planning a peace rally in the town.