Telangana bandh: Malls, petrol bunks, RTC hit

A day-long bandh began this morning in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh in response to a call given by TRS, which accused the Congress Government of resorting to repressive measures to put down the statehood rally. Initial reports reaching here from the region indicate the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus services were partially affected as protesters staged dharnas in front of depots in Telangana districts, including Hyderabad.

A RTC spokesperson said they were in touch with police officials and will operate services as per their advice. Most of the educational institutions in the city remained closed. Commercial establishments, malls, cinema theatres were also shut. The bandh call was given a day after pro-Telangana organisations, including political parties, organised a Chalo Assembly rally to press for statehood to the region.

TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao gave the bandh call to protest against the Congress Government's repressive measures to deal with the march for Telangana yesterday. CPI, a strong supporter of separate Telangana state, however, is not supporting the bandh and described the TRS decision as unilateral. The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), which comprises TRS, BJP and pro-Telangana organisations, said the bandh is being observed in the entire region. South Central Railway, which cancelled MMTS (local) trains in Hyderabad yesterday following Chalo Assembly stir, resumed services today. A SCR spokesperson said there has been no cancellation or rescheduling of train services.