Road transport on three major highways came to a standstill on Tuesday following a highway blockade call given by the pro-Telangana parties demanding seven hours of power supply to farmers.
Telangana activists staged massive protests by squatting on the highways demanding that the government exempt farmers from the power cuts which were necessitated due to power shortage caused by the Sakala Janula Samme or the people's general strike demanding separate Telangana.
The protestors completely blocked Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Hyderabad - Macherla and Narketpally-Addanki-Vadapally highways. Blockades were also created at other strategic junctions including Kodad, Suryapet, Nakrekal, Chottuppal and Sagar Hills.
The 24-hour blockade call was given by Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Telangana Political Join Action Committee. Over 100 JAC leaders and activists were arrested at Nakrekal in Nalgonda district as they squatted on National Highway 9 to block vehicles coming from Vijayawada. The protestors have also burnt tyres on several routes. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of protests locations.
The Telangana activists have completely ignored the warnings issued by the State police of stern action if they continue with the protests. Despite cane-charges at several places and arrests of JAC leaders, several activists continued the protests.
Meanwhile, the State Government reiterated that it would provide six hours of power supply to farmers and there won't be further cuts for agriculture sector.