The anti-Telangana protesters went on a rampage in Anantapur district on Saturday setting afire large quantities of BSNL cables, even as bandhs and series of demonstrations continued for the second day in coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions against bifurcation of the state.
Police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse students and others after they set on fire telephone cables at a BSNL office near Itikalapalli, Anantapur District Superintendent of Police, Murugesh Kumar Singh told PTI.
"The situation in Anantapur district is tense, but under control. The fire has been brought under control," he said, adding "some hooligans are trying to take advantage of the situation, but the police has kept a strict vigil."
Students of Srikrishna Devaraya University and those favouring a united Andhra Pradesh took out rallies and raised slogans in different parts of the district.
In Vijayawada city, cutting across partylines, Congress, TDP and PRP activists organised rallies, dharnas and also held relay hunger strikes for 'one Andhra', even as business establishments, shops and banks in commercial areas remained closed.
Agitators resorted to 'rail roko', resulting in delayed running of trains, a Railways official said, adding "speed restrictions were imposed on all routes."
Bandhs and protests, which broke out after the Centre's nod to initiate process for formation of separate Telangana state, hit normal life in Visakhapatnam. The protesters also resorted to rasta-roko and burnt effigies.
The fast-unto-death by several students continued while Andhra University students took out rallies and resorted to rasta roko in support of their demand for 'Samaikya Andhra Pradesh' (United Andhra Pradesh) in Visakahaptnam city. "The bandh is peaceful and incident-free in Visakhapatnam," a police official said.
Protesters held road blockades and rail roko at several places in Kurnool, but it's not a bandh-like situation, Kurnool district Superintendent of Police Ch Srikant told PTI.
"Students are holding relay and indefinite fasts in different places. The situation is under control," he said.
A report from Kadapa district said two middle-aged persons in Ramapuram, died of cardiac arrest allegedly after hearing news over division of Andhra Pradesh. However, a senior police officer could not confirm it.
The situation is "peaceful", he said, adding protest rallies were held in different towns of Kadapa district.
Passengers had a tough time as Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspended services in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions even as protesters damaged two buses at Mydukur depot in Kadapa district.
"As many as 1,300 APSRTC buses were off the road in Vijayawada alone," an RTC official said. PTI
