Strike, stir in Seemandhra affect administration, normal life

Government administration in 13 districts across coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh came to a grinding halt today as employees of all departments launched an indefinite strike demanding revocation of the Centre's decision to divide the state.
Normal life was largely affected today because of the strike as well as continued agitation by people in Seemandhra regions over last 13 days.
Public transport service remained fully paralysed as employees of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) also joined the stir.
More than 11,000 buses remained confined to depots affecting transportation not only across the region but also in the state capital.

Even bus services to Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, came to a grinding halt since midnight due to the strike.
The RTC operates 1,000 buses to Tirumala Hills every day from Tirupati at the foot of the hill and various other locations.

This was the first time in more than three decades that not a single bus plied to Tirumala Hills, sources here said.
Chittoor district Collector Solomon Arokia Raj took the initiative and ensured at least private buses plied to the Hills for the convenience of the pilgrims.
The Collector, along with RTC higher authorities, is holding talks with agitating employees to see that bus services to Tirumala could be restored.

Lending support to agitating people, petrol station owners voluntarily observed a 24-hour bandh from this morning.
"Government functioning came to a complete halt in all the 13 districts in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema because of the strike. We demand that the Centre reconsider its decision to divide the state. All elected representatives from the two regions should resign forthwith to bring pressure on the Centre and stall the bifurcation," AP NGOs Association president Ashok Babu told reporters here this evening.