Telephone cables set ablaze

Hyderabad, Dec 12: Large quantities of telephone cables were set on fire at a BSNL office in Anantapur district, even as bandhs and demonstrations continued for the second day on Saturday by anti-Telangana protestors in coastal Andhra And Rayalseema regions against bifurcation of the state.Police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse students to bring order at Itikalapally in Anantapur district when the protesters went on a rampage, according to a senior police official.Describing the situation as ‘tense but under control’ Anantapur District Superintendent of Police Murugesh Kumar Singh said the fire had been brought under control. He said ‘hooligans’ joined the protesters who are taking advantage of the situation.

 The police are keeping a strict vigil and assured that law and order would be maintained, the SP said.The Telangana stir has snowballed into a crisis as protests over the bifurcation of the state gathered momentum with students of Srikrishnadevaraya University and those supporting a united Andhra Pradesh took out rallies and raised slogans in different parts of the district.Congress, TDP and PRP activists organised rallies, dharnas and also held relay fast for 'one Andhra' in Vijayawada. Business establishments, shops and banks in commercial areas remained closed.