Bandh paralyses life in non-Telangana regions of AP

Normal life was disrupted in non-Telangana regions of Andhra Pradesh, as the bandh called by the All party Joint Action Committee (JAC) in support of United Andhra Pradesh began today.

"We called for a complete bandh to send a message to the Center that majority of people want a United Andhra Pradesh," Prof Samuel, Convenor of Samkhya Andhra (United Andhra Pradesh), JAC told reporters in Vijayawada.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has suspended its services across the Telangana and Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions as a precautionary measure. Commuters had a tough time as the public transport was unavailable.

Schools, colleges, shops and other business establishments also remained closed. In Chittoor district, except buses going to temple town of Tirupati, all other services remained cancelled. In Vijayawada, former Mayor Mallika Begum and few other leaders were taken into custody by the police as they tried to hold a protest.

"We warn the Centre that they should not make any hasty announcement. We will conduct our next meeting in favour of United Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad also," TDP MLA D Umamaheswara Rao said.

The JAC has called for a rail roko in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema tomorrow, to coincide with the crucial meeting convened by the Centre to discuss the Telangana issue in New Delhi. The Telangana JAC has also called for rail and 'rasta roko' tomorrow in Telangana Region.