The state bandh called by the Opposition parties of Telangana , protesting the government refusal to waive the farm loan was partial in Hyderabad and other urban centres across the state. Though the traffic was much less that the usual days, the TSRTC effectively run services and the percentage was put at 69.64, according to TSRTC Managing Director, G.V. Ramana Rao.
BJP floor leader in Assemnbly Laxman, however, claimed that the bandh was successful. He thanked the public for the support they extended to the Telangana bandh called in support of farmer’s cause.He said despite the hurdles, created by the government which directed the police to arrest party leaders and activists, the public still voluntarily participated in the bandh and made it a sucess. “After witnessing the support from the public, the government should now come forward to the rescue of the farmers by implementing one-time settlement of loans.”
In the State capital Hyderabad senior opposition leaders Uttam Kumar Reddy, Bhatti Vikaramarkha, Marri Sashidhar Reddy, Prabhakar Rao (Congress), K. Laxman and Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, N Ramachandra Rao (BJP) along with many TDP leaders were arrested near various bus dept as they tried to stop the vehicles coming out of depotsHowever, as far as urban areas, including the twin cities were concerned, life appeared to be normal with most shops and establishments doing business as usual. In many places in the urban areas, it did not seem as if a bandh was on, at all. Even though party workers roamed around the city forcing the shops downed their shutters, but they reopened once the party leader left the area.
Till 12 noon, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) said it had run 1,315 of the scheduled 1,382 services in Hyderabad and all of the 1,137 in Secunderabad. Other far bus services in the districts the impact appeared a bit better than in twin-cities. According to TSRTCS sources the service operated were : 274 out of 656 in Mahabubnagar, 301 out of 461 in Medak, 401 out of 566 in Nalgonda, 167 out of 336 in Ranga Reddy, 187 out of 743 in Karimnagar, 155 out of 459 in Khammam, 376 out of 470 in Adilabad, 244 out of 543 in Nizamabad and 643 out of 714 in Warangal.
