Telangana bandh: TRS supporters, students get violent on the streets

HYDERABAD: Normal life was paralysed across Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh as the 48-hour bandh called by TRS and other parties to protest the Centre's decision to hold further consultations on the statehood issue began with violence breaking out at some places.

The shutdown call had an immediate impact as students and other Telangana supporters came on to the streets and resorted to stone pelting on buses and shops in Hyderabad and other Telangana districts.

Violence broke out in Hyderabad, Warangal and other places in the region within hours of the Centre's announcement as police resorted to baton-charge to disperse angry crowds of protesters.

In the state capital, several petrol pumps were shutdown soon after TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao and other Telangana leaders gave the bandh call. Long queues were witnessed at the few petrol stations that remained open.

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspended services in the city and other Telangana districts. A large number of commuters were stranded in Hyderabad as the city buses run by APSRTC remained off the roads.

Incidents of buses and other vehicles being burnt were reported from several places in the city since late last night after the shutdown began.

Centre on Wednesday night said there was a need to hold wide ranging consultations on the Telangana issue with all political parties and groups in the state.