Bandh for steel plant evokes partial response

Kadapa: The bandh called by opposition parties on Thursday, demanding the BJP-led NDA government to set up a steel plant in the district has evoked partial response. Leaders and workers of the YSRCP, Congress and Left parties have staged protests and rasta rokos at various places in the district. But, the cops swung into action immediately and took them into custody.

As a precautionary measure, the cops kept CPM district secretary Eswaraiah, city YSRCP MLA Amjad Basha, Mayor Suresh Babu and other key leaders under house arrest. CPI state secretary Ramakrishna along with party activists tried to stop RTC buses coming out from main bus stand. But, the cops took him and his party workers into custody and shifted them to I-Town police station here.

Ramakrishna has alleged that central and state governments are playing with lives of unemployed by neglecting the establishment of steel plant in Kadapa district which was promised in the AP Reorganisation Act. The people would teach a lesson to ruling governments at an appropriate time as they are following anti-people policies, he slammed.

Even, Rayalaseema Communist Party president Ravi Sankar Reddy was also taken into custody by police. Educational institutions, government and private offices, hotels, movie theatres and business establishments remained opened since morning. 

RTC buses ran as usual and there was no disruption for vehicular traffic across the district. Speaking to The Hans India, RTC Regional Manager Chengal Reddy said that the RTC buses from all 8 depots were operated and no damage for vehicles was reported.