Telangana Bandh evokes mixed response

The day-long Telangana bandh call given by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi evoked mixed response in the region while it largely failed in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

A majority of educational institutions in the city, which declared holiday on Friday in view of Chalo Assembly rally, functioned on Saturday. The State-run RTC services were normal in the city although some services bound for Telangana district were cancelled due to lack of passengers. The shops and business establishments in the twin cities remained open. The train services, including MMTS, too remained unaffected.

The SSC Advanced Supplementary exams too went off peacefully on Saturday although the attendance in some districts was low.

However, the normal life in others parts of Telangana region, especially in Warangal, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts was affected due to bandh. Shops and establishments and educational institutions in these districts remained closed on Saturday.

Several pro-Telangana leaders and activists were taken into custody by the police when they staged protests near APSRTC bus depots on Saturday morning. Those arrested include TRS MLA T Harish Rao.

It may be mentioned that TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao has called for Telangana Bandh on Saturday to protest against the massive arrests of pro-Telangana workers during the Chalo Assembly rally.