In a bid to further intensify the stir for separate Telangana state, Telangana Rashtra Samiti has given call for 48-hours bandh from midnight on Saturday till Monday. The call was given after TRS politburo discussed the situation arising out of week-long fast by its president K Chandrasekhara Rao. His indefinite fast will enter the second week from Sunday.
The call came even as rumours of KCR's health condition worsening sparked off violence by his supporters in Hyderabad and other parts of the state.
However, director of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Dr Dasari Prasad Rao denied the news and urged the people not to believe in baseless rumors.
Palpable tension prevailed in NIMS campus where hundreds of TRS workers and supporters had gathered all through the day, shouting slogans.
Meanwhile, TRS member of Parliament Vinod Kumar said the 48 hours strike is a protest against indifferent attitude of the central and the state government.
"At least 16 persons committed suicide during last one week as a mark of protest against the attitude of the government," he said.
He claimed that the strike call had support of the BJP, CPI and the PRP.
In view of the bandh call, the road transport corporation has suspended its bus services in the Telangana region, including Hyderabad. The bus service from coastal Andhra and Rayala Seema to Telangana has also been suspended from tonight.
The private tour operators have also decided not to run their buses fearing violence.
Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi called on KCR at the NIMS and appealed to him to end his indefinite fast.
"He has, however, rejected my plea and said he would continue his fast till the Telangana statehood issue is resolved," Chiranjeevi later told newspersons.
Chiranjeevi appealed to the state and Central governments to immediately take an appropriate decision on Telangana.
With PTI inputs
