Day 2: TRS halts Racha Banda run, again

For the Second Day, the government sponsored Racha Banda programme faced rough weather with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi activists stepping up their protest against the government for ignoring the Telangana bifurcation issue while blocking the progress of the event.

 At several venues in the districts, the programme was nominal and at some places it was boycotted leading to violence with clashes between the TRS men and the programme convenors.

The police intervened to quieten the angry mobs of protestors.

In Nizamabad district, Armoor, Kamareddy and other mandals, TRS enthusiasts were arrested while in Warangal district the protestors were caned and the venue turned into a battle ground.

So also in Medak, tension mounted as the TRS followers stepped up their protests and blocked the programme.

In Karimnagar district, despite appeals by Minister for Civil Supplies D Sridhar Babu, the TRS brigade raised their revolt and courted arrest.

In Mahabubnagar district, it was held for name sake.

In Nalgonda district, Minister for Panchayat Raj K Jana Reddy faced stiff resistance.

In the city there was not much of upsurge against the Racha Banda programme as former cine actress Jayasudha, who switched sides earlier, participated in the programme along with the Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy.

Ms Jayasudha summed up various benefits under the scheme which was started by former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Labour Minister Danam Nagender also had a free run. While speaking to the beneficiaries he lashed out at TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao for inciting hatred against the ruling party.