Samaikyandhra movement hots up

The Samaikyandhra movement, which has been going on for the last two days, picked up momentum on the third day in the district with thousands of people coming onto the roads voluntarily and raising slogans against the UPA government. In Dhone town, Samaikyandhra activists vandalised the statue of Indira Gandhi and organised a road blockade on the 44th National Highway on Friday.

The activists also broke the window panes of vehicles which were stranded on the road due to traffic jam. The people belonging to different strata of society like employees, teachers, students and traders sat in a dharna near the Collectorate. Later, they conducted a mock funeral of Sonia Gandhi and conducted her last rites. They also cursed the members of the Congress Working Committee for dividing the State. Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party MLAs KE Krishna Murthy, KE Prabhakar and Meenakshi Naidu submitted their resignations.

Ministers T G Venkatesh and Erasu Pratap Reddy, who came to the district for the first time, registered their protest by garlanding the statue of Telugu Thalli. Speaking to the media, DSP Ramana Kumar said eight agitators were arrested for indulging in looting, arson and causing destruction to the public property. In Srisailam project colony, the Samaikyandhra agitation entered the second day on Friday. All the commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed with thousands of people coming onto the roads raising slogans in favour of Samaikyandhra.

They also organised a road blockade and warned the Central government of intensifying their agitation till the Centre rescinds its decision. S-JAC leaders Dasari Mallikarjuna, Harinadh Babu, and YSR Congress leaders Mohammad Quasim, district development leaders K Koteshwara Rao and others were present on the occasion.

In Mantralayam town, the Samaikyandhra movement picked up momentum on the third day on Friday. Government offices and educational institutions remained shut and public transport came to a standstill. People in large numbers came on t the streets shouting slogans. They also organized a Rail Roko programme preventing trains from going to Mumbai, Gulburga and Guntakal for nearly two hours.

In Emmiganur town, the S-Joint Action Committee (JAC) leaders conducted mock funeral for central and state governments and burnt their effigies. The officers of government departments and workers played the game of Kabaddi.