Bandh peaceful in Prakasam district

Ongole: The opposition backed shutdown of the state passed off peacefully in Prakasam district. The leaders and cadre from the Left parties, YSR Congress Party and Congress joined hands in protests demanding fair share in the budget along with the implementation of promises made to the state in reorganisation bill.

The Telugu Desam Party leaders also protested in individual groups at various places in support of their MPs who are fighting for the same cause in Parliament

The opposition parties staged a dharna in front of the APSRTC Bus depot in the early morning. The CPI, CPM, YSRCP and Congress leaders, including CPI district president ML Narayana, Congress party district president Eda Sudhakar Reddy and other leaders from CPM, CPI and Congress took out a rally from bypass road to the Collectorate. 

The YSRCP leaders, including district president Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, joined them at the Collectorate and protested in front of it. They demanded that the Union government fulfil the promises made to the state during bifurcation and announce special category status immediately. The opposition parties also organised protests at Parchuru, Singarayakonda, Chimakurthy, Darsi, Giddalur and other places.

The Telugu Desam party cadre followed the directions of its state president Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao and organised protests all over the district. At Giddalur, the MLA Muthumula Ashok Reddy took out a rally in support of the protesting MPs in Parliament and staged a dharna in front of tahsil office. 

At Addanki and Parchuru, the local cadre protested in the road junctions. At Kandukur, the local leaders held a rasta roko in the centre while at Singarayakonda they staged a protest in front of Ambedkar Bhavan.

As the announcement for the bandh is made a few days ago, people are also prepared for it. Bus stands and railway stations wore a deserted look till afternoon. The schools and theatres were closed while a few offices also followed them.  

Deputy Chief Traffic Manager of Prakasam region M Murali Babu said that 209 services of the total 584 services were resumed from afternoon. He said that due to the bandh on Thursday, the region incurred losses around Rs 50 lakhs.