Bandh hits normal life in districts

The one-day bandh call given by the Telangana political joint action committee against the arrest of leaders during the rail blockade programme affected normal life across nine districts of the region though the business activity and public services in the city of Hyderabad remained more or less usual throughout the day on Monday.

Protestors in the districts closed bus depots, shops and petrol bunks in some places while many shops and establishments downed shutters in support of bandh across the towns in the Telangana region.

However, the intensity of the 33-day general strike led by the employees joint action committee has started coming down since yesterday with the employees of road transport corporation and teachers deciding to join the duties.

An end to the strike in Singareni Collieries, which resulted in widespread coal shortages, also appears to be in sight as the leaders of Singareni unions have entered into talks to call off the agitation, according to reports.

However, Swami Goud, chairman of employees JAC, which is responsible for the strike in all government offices, put up a brave front on Monday stating they would consider rejoining duties only after receiving a clear assurance on the issue of statehood.

Meanwhile, a section of Madiga Reservations Porata Samithi (MRPS) activists stormed into CPI (ML)- New Democracy faction’s office where the political JAC was holding its crucial meeting on the future of the ongoing strike.