Bandh in Godavari dists 'total'

Hyderabad, Dec 19: Barring stray incidents, the bandh called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for United Andhra Pradesh in East and West Godavari districts passed off peacefully on Saturday.Rallies, road blockades, rail-rokos and other forms of protests continued across the Godavari districts. Educational institutions, banks, government and private offices, cinema theatres and shopping complexes remained closed in Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Narsapuram, Bhimavaram, Nidadovulu, Kovvur, Rajamundry, Kakinada, Amalapuram, Tuni, Rajole and Ramachandrapuram.The APSRTC,as a precautionary measure, suspended 600 services in the West Godavari district.

According to sources, the RTC will incur a loss of Rs 2.24 crore per day following the United Andhra agitation.An activist urging the Centre to make an announcement favouring a United Andhra climbed up a cell tower and threatened to commit suicide at Matsyapuri in West Godavari district.About 2,000 jute mill workers boycotted their duties in Eluru extending support to the integrated Andhra stir. In the port town of Kakinada, the export and import operations were hit after the workers joined the boycott.Meanwhile, the indefinite fast launched by Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy at the Collectorate demanding integrated State entered eighth day on Saturday.