Bandh in Telangana to protest violence during Jagan yatra

HYDERABAD: Pro-Telangana activists today set up roadblocks and took out rallies in the region as part of the bandh called by the Telangana-Joint Action Committee to protest violence in Mahbubabad town during the tour of Congress MP Y S Jaganmohan that left 24 people injured.

Shops and business establishments downed shutters in Warangal, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Nizamabad districts even as police took several protesters, including T-JAC leaders, into preventive custody at Kazipet, Narayankhed and Siddipet towns after they held demonstrations.

Holding Congress MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy responsible for the violence in Mahbubabad yesterday, the T-JAC called for the shutdown.

Nine people were injured when police fired to quell protesters while seven others were injured in clashes, police said. Eight policemen were also hurt in the violence that broke out in protest against his yatra.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Osmania University JAC, Kakatiya University JAC and BJP have supported the bandh.

In Ranga Reddy district, lawyers blocked roads near L B Nagar, while Telangana activists took out motor-bike rallies in Warangal, Karimnagar and other Telangana districts shouting anti-Jagan slogans.

Passengers were stranded at bus-stands across Telangana districts after Andhra Pradesh State Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspended services at several places in view of the protests.

The bandh has been by and large peaceful till now. The bandh, however, evoked lukewarm response in Hyderabad city, where transport services were normal.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements in Telangana and additional forces were deployed near Osmania University, considered the nerve centre of the statehood movement.