Sankar Vilas centre turns hub of stir

The busy Sankar Vilas Centre witnessed scenes reminiscent of the stir for united A.P. as supporters of various political parties came with up different forms of protest aimed at grabbing the public attention, this time for the Special Category Status for the bifurcated State.

The parties, the YSRCP, CPI, the CPI(M) and the Jana Sena Party turned the spot into a hub of protests on Monday. While the Left parties sat on the road and had breakfast, the YSRCP took to the main streets and blocked the buses leaving the NTR Bus Station Complex.

A heavy contingent of police ensured that the day passed off peacefully.

The Statewide bandh call given by the leaders of the Pratyekahoda, Vibhajana Hameela Samithi evoked a good response here with day-long protests. However, the ruling Telugu Desam Party and the BJP stayed away from the protests.

Schools, colleges, banks and several other business establishments remained closed during the day. The government offices functioned as usual. The impact of the bandh was felt at the weekly grievance programme held by the Collector and the police.

Leaders of YSR Congress Party led by city in charge Lella Appireddy, MLA Sk. Mustafa and Kilari Rosaiah protested in front of the NTR Bus Station complex.

The bandh also evoked good response in Tenali, Narsaraopet and Bapatla towns.

Tension in Masula

The bandh observed in the Krishna district headquarters of Machilipatnam passed off peacefully. Normal life was hit as people from all walks of life joined the political parties in the protest. Tension prevailed for some time when YSRCP leaders led by Machilipatnam former MLA Perni Nani stormed the Collectorate conference hall, disrupting the weekly grievance cell chaired by Joint Collector Vijaya Krishnan.

However, the protest came to an end with a peaceful procession on the Collectorate campus.

Another group of leaders representing the Congress took out a bike rally.