Republic Day TDP Style: Vizag’s RK Beach Turned Into Fortress To foil Candle Rally For Special Category State

* Spree of arrests continues, YSRCP leaders placed under house arrest

* Every person frisked, every vehicle checked

* Even morning walkers not allowed into RK Beach

* College students sent SMSs asking them not to attend the Vizag Beach protests

It was meant to be a democratic and constitutionally rightful candle light vigil to highlight the need for the Special Category Status to the state of Andhra Pradesh at the Vizag's famed RK Beach on a day that we gave ourselves a Constitution.

But, the custodian of the constitution in AP has pulled all stops to snuff out an agitation conceptualised and called by resurgent Telugu youth. Section 144 was imposed a virtual security blanket was thrown along the beach to prevent anyone from reaching there. Even morning walkers were stopped from entering into the beach.

The candle protest called by YSRCP chief YS Jagan has struck a chord in the hearts and minds of the youth and thousands have milled in to the city already and many more are already on the way. Actor Sampurnesh Babu has already arrived at Vizag. Even YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will take part in the protest in the evening.

The police are checking frisking every person and checking every vehicle entering into the city. A spate of arrests have already taken place. Protesting students were dispersed at several places. Several YSRCP activists have already been put under house arrest.

The government has also coerced the college and school managements to send SMSs to their students and their parents dissuading them from joining the protest. Already, cases have been booked on the students who participated in the YSRCP-sponsored Yuva Bheris, which mobilised the youth in favour of the Special Category Status.

Meanwhile, at several places, solidarity marches and protests are being organied. At Tirupati, MLA Roja protested the Government's repression and said the Government is ready to host bikini shows on the beach, but not speical category status protests.