Districts Affected By Telangana Bandh

Barring the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, normal life was paralysed across the Telangana region on Saturday, during the 24-hour bandh called by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

The bandh, called by Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao against the Congress-led UPA government's "delaying tactics" with regards to separate statehood for Telangana, was supported by Telangana Political Joint Action Committee and other pro-Telangana groups, including Maoists.

Except for a few, many educational institutions remained closed on Saturday. Shops and business establishments were closed in response to the bandh.

Petrol bunks and cinema halls, too, remained closed, although several shopping malls that were opened witnessed thin footfall throughout the day.

Public transport was badly affected in all the districts, with the TRS-affiliated employee union supporting the bandh call.

While Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station and Jubilee Bus Station wore a deserted look, several depots across the region were locked by the employees.

Hundreds of pro-Telangana activists, including prominent TRS leaders, were arrested by the police at different places in Warangal, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Medak and other districts.

TRS Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao was arrested along with his supporters, when he staged a dharna before the Jubilee Bus Station in Secunderabad.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up at the state Secretariat, the Assembly building and other government buildings in the state capital. (INN)