Curfew in Andhra town to check anti-Telangana violence

Situation remained tense in Vizianagaram town of coastal Andhra Sunday despite indefinite curfew imposed by the police Saturday night to control the violence, which broke out after union cabinet's decision to divide the state.

Violating the curfew, people in some parts of the town took to the streets Sunday morning and pelted stones on policemen. Police resorted to baton charge on a group of protestors, mainly the small traders at Kota Junction, about 700 km from Hyderabad.

Additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed in the home town of state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana, whose properties were damaged by the protestors during last two days, blaming him for the failure to stall state's division.

With reports of students and protestors from Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam reaching the town, the police sealed the entry points. Security was further tightened at the residences and other properties of Satyanarayana and his family members.

The curfew was clamped after large-scale violence and arson for the second consecutive day Saturday. The protestors set afire dozens of vehicles, public and private property. The streets turned into battle zone with protestors pelting stones on policemen at several places.

Police repeatedly baton charged the mob and used teargas shells but this failed to check the violence, forcing the authorities to impose curfew.

A police official said anti-social elements were indulging in violence and looting. He said the curfew would continue till the situation completely comes under control. Police arrested dozens of people indulging in violence.