Protests multiply in form, intensity

• ‘Laksha Jana Ghosha’ in Nandyal
• Digvijay urges MLA Srinivas to end fast
• Bad experience for Minister S Sailajanath
• Police foil Bhimili legislator Avanthi Srinivas’s hunger strike
• ‘Praja court’ sentences Sonia Gandhi, KCR

Hyderabad: The ‘Laksha Jana Ghosha’ in Nandyal was one of the highlights of the Samaikyandhra agitation, which entered the 28th day on Tuesday. AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh phoned Bheemli MLA Avanti Srinivas and urged him to call off his fast, but the legislator did not relent. However, the police foiled his fast late in the night.

In Rajahmundry, the EAMCET counselling was obstructed by the Samaikyandhra supporters. Minister S Sailajanath was slighted at several places. A TTD member G V Srinath Reddy began a 48-hour hunger strike at Pilair in support of the demand to keep the State united. The police foiled the fast of Proddatur MLA Linga Reddy on Monday night. In Srikakulam a ‘Praja court’ was held and Sonia Gandhi and KCR were ‘sentenced’ to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for “rousing the passions of the people that resulted in hundreds of suicides.

AU students shut the main gates of the campus.

Visakhapatnam: Road blocks, rallies and human chains were organised at all important junctions, paralyzing vehicular traffic. The EAMCET counselling was conducted amid tight bandobast. Work in all government hospitals was affected, with the AP Government Doctors’ Association and the AP Government Nurses’ Association observing two-hour protests. Leaders of the Andhra University Ikya Vidyardhi Front blocked the vehicles of the VC, Rector and Registrar. YSRCP City convener V K Srinivas Yadav and senior leaders observed ‘Sagara Jala Deeksha’ near R K Beach.

EAMCET counselling obstructed

Rajahmundry: Tension prevailed at SKVT Degree College when APNGOs obstructed EAMCET counseling at Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University. Students and parents left after some time. Rajahmundry MLA R Suryaprakasa Rao observed a silent protest at the Kotipalli bus stand. Municipal commissioner Dr V Rajendra Prasad, Regional Director, Municipal Administration, Ravindra and deputy collector Ravindra Babu went on fast. ‘Go puja’ was performed at the venue of fast by Jakkampudi Raja, son of former minister. The ‘Samaikya Rashtra Parirakshana Vedika’ called for ‘Sakala Junula Samme’ and bandh in Rajahmundry on August 28 and 29. In Kakinada, some employees protested in attires of Telugu Thalli, Bharat Mata and Potti Sriramulu. The collectorate staff swept roads.

SJAC obstructs minister’s rally

Anantapur: The police beefed up security for the rally of Minister Shailajanath. They were alerted when the SJAC leaders threatened to obstruct the rally, as he did not visit any of the camps of the Samaikyandhra activists. Irrigation department employees observed silence when he visited them. The ZP staff covered their mouths with black cloth and turned away, closing their ears. The Minister, however, remained unfazed.

The government hospital staff blocked the rally. The police sealed the district borders to prevent agitators from joining the rally. The Electricity JAC organised a huge rally at Puttaparti. School teachers depicted the Seemandhra Central ministers as dogs during the rally. They whipped the effigies of six Union ministers.

‘Praja court’ sentences Sonia, KCR

Srikakulam: A ‘Praja court’ organised by the Law department JAC with the District Bar Association members as the jury/advocates ‘sentenced’ Sonia Gandhi and KCR to ten years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined them Rs.10,000 each. It rejected the prosecution plea to expel Sonia from the country and KCR from the State. The ‘Praja court’ also sentenced AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, Sonia’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, Union minister A K Antony to five years’ simple imprisonment.

One lakh people assemble in Nandyal

Kurnool: Government staff, teachers, advocates, students, members of civil society organisations and traders voluntarily took part in ‘Laksha Jana Ghosha’ at Sanjiva Nagar Centre. Holding placards, they squatted till 1 pm, singing songs and clapping. In Kurnool, the staff of the Health department organised a rally carrying Sonia Gandhi’s effigy and burnt it. The Commercial Taxes staff held a dharna, raising slogans against Union ministers. Nurses and employees under the Medical JAC walked backwards holding umbrellas.

YSRCP activists block highways

Kadapa: Activists of the YSRCP blocked highways in support of the fast of party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. They stopped traffic at Ircon Circle on the outskirts by placing barbed wire, resulting in traffic blockades on the roads leading to Tirupati, Chittoor and Anantapur. Women activists staged a demonstration to protest the ‘high-handed’ behaviour of an SI and raised slogans. Rajeswar Reddy, DSP, held discussions to defuse tension. Advocate Pramod dressed as ‘pittaladora’ in a rally caught the eye.

Vijayawada: The municipal employees organised a rally to the Panchayat Raj office. They joined the fast of the leaders of employees’ organisations. The RTC staff strike entered the 15th day. About 1,400 buses were confined to the depots.

Chittoor: A TTD Board member G V Srinath Reddy commenced a 48-hour hunger strike at Pilair in support of Samaikyandhra.

Vizianagaram: On 28th day of the agitation, students of junior and B Ed colleges held a massive rally. About 20,000 students and teachers formed human chains at RTC and Mayuri centres. The agitators laid siege to APCC president Botcha Satyanarayana’s camp office, demanding his resignation.