Women rallies in several districts

• ‘Mahila Garjanas’ organised in Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Srikakulam
• Various sections of society hold massive rallies
• ‘Sagara Jana Gala Ghosha’ conducted in Vizag
• 48-hour bandh continues in Vizianagaram

Hyderabad: The 46th day of Samaikyandhra agitation saw women from various sections of society in large numbers joining hands to organise ’garjanas’(roar) in Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Srikakulam and massive rallies in Kadapa, Parvatipuram, Gajapatinagaram (both in Vizianagaram district), Puttur, Tadipatri and Ongole.

In Visakhapatnam, Leaders of The All- Joint Action Committees (JACs) conducted huge rallies, relay fast camps, formed human chains, organised ‘rasta rokos’, ‘vanta varpu’ protests. NGOs, municipal and medical employees, teachers and staff of all private organisations took part in the agitation. The ‘Samaikyandhra Sagara Jana Gala Ghosha’ organised by the ‘Samaikyandhra Adhikarula Upadhyula Udyogula Karmika Karshaka Porata Vedika’, was a huge success with thousands of people from all walks of life participating. The Beach Road right from Park Hotel to RK Beach was jam-packed. The highlight of the rally was school students carrying a massive national flag. The Andhra University Student JAC leaders called for a 48-hour educational institutions bandh.

In Vizianagaram district the 48-hour bandh called by the APNGOs’ Association hit normal life as protestors blocked roads and national highways disrupting traffic. It evoked a good response. The NGOs took out a huge rally. Women formed a human chain in Saluru, organised rallies in Garividi, Gajapatinagaram, Parvatipuram and agency areas. In Srikakulam a ‘Mahila Garjana’ was held with about 2,000 women from all sections of society taking part. They organised a rally and later formed a human chain at Seven Road junction.

Thousands of women employees came onto the roads following a call given by the APNGOs’ Association. They conducted rallies and meetings in Kakinada, Rajahmundry and Amalapuram. Women from the Self-Help Groups and girl students intensified their protest against bifurcation of the State. In Tirupati women school teachers, lecturers and medical, paramedical and nursing students besides housewives and NGOs took off in a rally from NTR Circle to Telugu Talli statue.

Women agitators, in the name of ‘Pulikeka’, held a massive rally in Puttur, and in Tadipatri.Meanwhile, private travel agents called for a 48-hour bandh in Krishna district to press the demand of Samaikyandhra. In Vijayawada, they organised a huge rally from Hanumanpet to Benz Circle. In Vizianagaram district, the 48-hour bandh called by the APNGOs’ association since Friday is continuing.

Rajampet (Kadapa dist.): An electricity employee, Venkataramana, who has been actively taking part in the Samaikyandhra agitation, collapsed and died following a heart attack after joining the ‘Ranabheri’ protest programme here on Saturday. Although he was rushed to a hospital it was too late. His family members were drowned in sorrow. Several leaders of the Non-Political JAC, which organised the programme, and integrationists condoled the death. They conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.