TDP bandh hits normal life across Andhra Pradesh

Normal life was hit in most parts of Andhra Pradesh as the day-long strike called by the key Opposition Telugu Desam -- in protest against the arrest of its president N Chandrababu Naidu and other party leaders by the Maharashtra police -- evoked a mixed response.

While bandh had its effect in parts of Hyderabad, pockets of Telangana and coastal Andhra, it was not so extensive in other parts, including Rayala Seema. However, the strike passed off peacefully as no major untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

Angered over the extension of the judicial custody of Naidu and other party leaders till July 26, the TDP has decided to further intensify its agitation in the state.

As Naidu and other leaders are being sent to Aurangabad jail by the Maharashtra police, the TDP has given a call to stage protest demonstration in front of the residences of all the 33 Congress Lok Sabha members to bring pressure on the Centre on Tuesday.

On Monday, the police arrested hundreds of TDP workers, including some former ministers Kadiam Srihari, T Srinivas Reddy, former Hyderabad Mayor T Krishna Reddy for blocking the roads and forcing the closure of shops.

TDP politburo and Rajya Sabha member N Harikrishna was arrested by the police in Nizamabad district when he was heading towards Dharmabad to meet Chandrababu Naidu this morning.

Thousands of passengers remain stranded at different places as the protestors held Dharna in front of Road Transport Corporation bus depots in all the districts including state capital Hyderabad. Traffic on the roads remain thin as shops, business establishments, petrol bunk, educational institutions and cinema theatres remain closed.

Several long-distance trains including Hussain Sagar Express, Bokaro Express, Golkonda Express, Puri Express were stopped at different places in the state.

TDP's former parliamentary party leader K Yerran Naidu, who led the protest in Srikakulam, demanded Centre's intervention to solve the Babili project issue between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.