Opposition bandh evokes partial response

Tirupati: Bandh call given by Opposition on Monday against the fuel price hike evoked partial response across Rayalaseema region. The leaders and workers of the Congress, CPI, CPM, Jana Sena and Aam Aadmi have staged an agitation in front of the Central Bus Station here. Fearing damage from protestors, the RTC confined buses to depots only.

The cops, as a precautionary measure, took CPI and CPM leaders into custody and shifted them to MR Palle Police Station. No untoward incidents were reported across the district. However, agitators exempted buses carrying pilgrims to Tirumala. The government offices remained opened and RTC ran long route buses from the afternoon.

Police pickets were set up at the main gates of all varsities. The Left leaders, who were in custody, were let off in the evening. The ruling party leaders staged a dharna at the Town Club Junction. Bandh was also partial in Srikalahasti, Puttur, Punganur, Madanapalle and Palamaner towns.

Bandh peaceful
Chittoor: The bandh called by all political parties except BJP on Monday, protesting against steep hike in petrol and diesel prices passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents. Government and private offices, educational institutions, banks, movie theatres, petrol bunks and vegetable markets have remained closed.

But, the APSRTC operated its bus services. The TDP district unit organised a rasta roko here for increasing prices of petrol and diesel and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They raised slogans against the Prime Minister for failing to control rise in fuel prices.

Speaking on the occasion, TDP district president P Nani said that his party organised a rasta roko and only supported the objective of bandh and not the Congress. Mayor K Hemalatha and other TDP leaders took part in protest. 

Mixed response to bandh 
Nellore: All-India bandh organised by the political parties against the skyrocketing of fuel prices evoked mixed response in the city and also in other parts of the district. Bandh was partial in Nellore city as only few traders have voluntarily closed shops. Some banks and government offices were also closed due to pressure by the party activists and there has been no disturbance to public because of transport services.

Congress leaders led by DCC President Panabaka Krishnaiah along with Left party leaders staged a rasta roko at Atmakur Bus Stand in the city. Earlier, the Congress leaders organised a massive bike rally in the city and also staged a protest in front of the Collectorate raising slogans against the BJP-led NDA government.

CPM leaders led by District Secretary Ch Rajagopal organised a rally in the city from VR College Circle to Gandhi Statue. Police took Congress leaders CV Sesha Reddy, Udatha Venkat Rao, Raghuram Mudiraj, Anuradha Reddy and Lalitha Reddy into custody and shifted them to Chinna Bazaar Police Station. CPM cadre under the leadership of rural secretary Madala Venkateswarlu staged a protest in front of the RTC Bus Stand.

The CPM leaders were taken into custody while they were obstructing movement of buses at RTC Bus Stand. NUDA Chairman K Srinivasulu Reddy and former legislator M Sridhara Krishna Reddy pulled an auto with a rope at Gandhi Statue.

Meanwhile, leaders of Congress and Left parties have organised a bandh in Gudur, Kavali, Atmakur, Udayagiri, Venkatagiri and also in other parts of the district. Speaking to the media, DCC President Panabaka Krishnaiah said that though crude oil prices have decreased in the international market, the NDA government has been increasing the fuel prices in the country. He also demanded that the NDA government should decrease the prices of fuel, essential commodities and domestic gas.

NDA govt critised
Kadapa: Nationwide bandh call given by Opposition on Monday, protesting hike in fuel prices was partial and peaceful. Government and private offices and business establishments have functioned normally. Tension prevailed for some time as activists of Congress, CPI, CPM and Jana Sena have tried to disrupt the vehicular traffic. Cops took them into custody and shifted to various police stations.

In Kadapa, DCC President SK Nazir Ahmed, CPM District President K Anjaneyulu, CPI District President M Eswaraiah, along with their party functionaries organised rallies in the city by raising slogans against the BJP-lead NDA government. In Vempalle, the PCC Vice-President N Tulasi Reddy participated in a bike rally. Vehicular traffic disrupted in the mandals like Rayachoti and Vontimitta.

Meanwhile, the TDP activists have disrupted vehicular flow at various places in the city. Speaking to media, N Tulasi Reddy said the cost of petrol per litre should be Rs 45, diesel Rs 37 and a cooking gas cylinder should be Rs 300 as per the present rate of 78 dollars per barrel in the international market. Cost of petrol per litre is Rs 87, diesel Rs 79 and an LPG cylinder is Rs 754 in the NDA rule, he slammed.