TDP’s Andhra bandh evokes lukewarm response; business establishments, banks open in many parts

Amaravati: Telugu Desam Party (TDP’s) bandh call evoked a lukewarm response on Monday with business establishments, banks, and other offices functioning normally in many parts of Andhra Pradesh during morning hours.

Telugu Desam Party had called for a bandh in protest against the arrest of former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

According to Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Shankha Brata Bagchi, the situation is peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported.

"Situation is peaceful, depending on the situation, the local authorities have promulgated prohibitory orders," Bagchi said.

A local Court in Vijayawada on Sunday remanded TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu in judicial custody for 14 days in an alleged multi-crore corruption scam. He reached the Central Prison here in the early hours of Monday and went to the prison around 1:20 a.m.

Home-cooked food, medication, and a special room were among the amenities granted by the court to Naidu during his judicial custody. The 73-year-old former chief minister has been provided with a separate accommodation inside the jail given the purported threat to his life. He is a Z-plus category security protectee.

Telugu Desam Party had called for a statewide bandh on Monday in protest against the arrest of its leader.

East Godavari SP P Jagadeesh said security has been beefed up in Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district and around the central prison where Naidu is currently lodged.

Police dispersed some TDP activists who were protesting on roads in some places in the state.

Several senior leaders including TDP president K Atchannaidu have been taken into preventive custody from their respective places.

In Visakhapatnam, the largest city in AP, the bandh saw no impact during morning hours. Government and private vehicles were seen plying as usual.

According to APSRTC sources, the corporation buses including city and long routes were running as usual and no untoward incident was reported in the district.

Government offices including public sector undertaking banks and government colleges remained open.

According to Andhra University sources, the varsity and its affiliated colleges are functioning. However, some private schools have declared a holiday given the bandh.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements across Visakhapatnam district to maintain law and order.

DCP (Law and Order) V Vidyasagar Naidu said that the situation was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported in the district. Police have beefed up security arrangements at various places.