Road transport on 3 major highways came to a standstill on Tuesday, following a highway blockade call given by pro-Telangana parties demanding 7 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 that were necessitated due to power shortage caused by the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme for a separate Telangana.
The protestors completely blocked the 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 the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the 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 also burnt tyres on several routes. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of the highways.
Despite lathi-charges at several places and the arrests of JAC leaders, several activists continued the protests.
Meanwhile, the state government reiterated that it would provide 6 hours of power supply to farmers, and that there will not be any further cuts for the agriculture sector. (INN)
filed in:National Highways, Telangana Agitation, Farmers, Power Cuts & Crisis, Rasta Roko