Bandh over T Bill cripples normal life in Seemandhra

Normal life remained paralysed for the second consecutive day in the 13 districts of the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of the state following the bandh call by APNGOs and YSR Congress against the tabling of the Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha.
The bandh was marked by protest rallies and demonstrations and resulted in closure of businesses and educational institutions besides hitting the operations of APSRTC buses at Visakhapatnam, Krishna, East Godavari, Guntur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts.
Also affected were cities like Tirupati and Vijayawada although, according to police, the situation has remained peaceful so far.
At many places, protesters held dharnas outside bus depots, forcing the vehicles to remain confined within.

Supporters of the united Andhra Pradesh cause have taken to the streets across Seemandhra to register their protest against the Centre's proposal to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
The demonstrations were marked by slogans against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the burning of tyres.

YSR Congress workers, meanwhile, took out bike rallies in Anantapur and raised slogans in support of a united Andhra Pradesh.
"The situation is peaceful (although) shops and businesses are closed... Rallies are being held in Anantapur, Chittoor and Tirupati. APSRTC buses are off the roads and schools and colleges are shut," said DIG (Anantapur Range) B Balakrishna.
A report from Vijayawada said that some protesters allegedly threw brooms at the convoy of Union Minister of State for Finance, JD Seelam, at Hanuman Junction in Krishna district while he was on his way to Eluru from Gannavaram airport.