Bandh evokes mixed response in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: The state-wide bandh called in protest against injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh in the recently presented Union Budget evoked mixed response across the district on Thursday. The CPM, CPI, CPI (ML-ND), trade unions, the Congress, YSRCP and Jana Sena participated in the protests. 

The TDP took part in the demonstrations against the Centre’s negligent attitude towards Andhra Pradesh in the allocation of funds and the denial of special category status.  The private transport vehicles were moving as usual across the district. 

CPM leaders Ch Tejeshwara Rao, B Krishna Murthy and other senior leaders were arrested and shifted to different police stations. District CITU secretary D Govinda Rao was arrested and shifted to Ponduru police station.

Congress leaders D Jaganmohan Rao, Ch Sateesh, R Narasimha Murthy and others were taken into custody while staging agitation here. YSRCP leaders D Prasada Rao, Reddy Shanthi, MV Padmavathi and several other leaders staged protests at various parts in the district. 

In all other Assembly constituencies, the YSRCP coordinators organised protests. Speaking on the occasion, YSRCP leaders accused the TDP leaders of playing gimmicks to get the sympathy of people after four years of their misrule. 

The TDP leaders were also taken into custody in the town for holding demonstrations. Srikakulam MLA G Laxmi Devi staged a dharna in front of Srikakulam Rural Police Station. Cinema theatres remained closed while educational institutions declared a holiday. Jana Sena activists also participated in protests actively across the district and demanded allotment of sufficient funds to AP.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Dr C M Trivikrama Varma said, “We have arrested 369 persons belonging to all parties and different unions as part of preventive measure under section 151 CrPC.” 

APSRTC deputy chief traffic manager K Srinivasa Rao said: “Bus services were stopped till noon and later, all the 465 services in the district restored.”