Normal life remained disrupted for the second consecutive day on Thursday, in both Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, following the 48-hour bandh call given by pro-united-Andhra-Pradesh organisations in protest against
the Centre's decision to bifurcate the state.
Shops, commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed, while buses were off the roads, in all the major towns of the Seemandhra region.
Courts too did not function in many towns, as lawyers boycotted duties and joined protests.
Rallies, dharnas, vandalising of statues of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and road and rail blockades were reported throughout the day on Thursday.
Police had to resort to mild lathi-charges at several places in Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Tirupati, Chittoor, Nellore, Vijayawada, Guntur, Eluru, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Viziaynagaram and other towns.
The residences of ministers, including that of PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, were targets for Samaikhyandhra activists, who demanded immediate resignations from their respective posts.
Meanwhile, in different cases, the Kadapa police prevented two youth from setting themselves ablaze. (INN)