Kiran’s snakes bite KCR, Botcha

Stir hits govt offices; Traffic snarls at all junctions in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The agitation for united Andhra Pradesh is picking up momentum with each passing day. Functioning in government offices and the normal life were severely disrupted as all the members of NGOs’ Association, employees of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and RTC unions joined the movement. Agitators have been organising protests and road blockages, forming human chains and taking out massive rallies on motorcycles in protest against the division of the State, causing frequent traffic jams at all important junctions.

The indefinite fast being observed by Madugula MLA G Ramanaidu and ex-corporator Gudivada Amar at the Gandhi statue near the GVMC entered fourth day on Wednesday. Anxiety prevailed among the party cadres as there was a decrease in the BP levels of the fasting leaders. A large number of leaders and activists were gathering at the fast camp raising slogans. However, no government doctor turned up to check their health condition so far. Many intellectuals and leaders condemned the attitude of the government and all those taking up motorcycle and protests were extending full support to the fasting leaders.

Meanwhile, noted snake catcher Kiran arrived at the Gandhi statue near GVMC to extend support to the Samaikyandhra agitation. A large number of agitators, led by TDP leader Panduranga Rao, gathered around Mr Kiran as he took out two long poisonous snakes from his bag and made them bite the portraits of ‘traitors’ KCR and Botcha. The unique ‘snake fete’ has attracted a huge crowd. Later, Kiran visited the fast camp of TDP leaders and extended his support.

Members of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Employees’ Union (recognised union) observed relay hunger strike in front of the Corporation office. As part of their protest demanding unified Andhra Pradesh, they deployed artistes of ‘Tappitagullu’, ‘Kolatam’ and ‘Chekka Bhajana’ at the fast camp, lending the area a devotional look. The artistes began performing with Samaikyandhra songs amidst drum beats. Later, the Corporation employees proceeded to the Gandhi statue to express their solidarity to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA G Ramanaidu and ex-corporator Gudivada Amar, who were on an indefinite fast.

Members of Visakhapatnam Commercial Tax Consultants’ Association, chartered accountants and students took out a rally from the ICAI Bhavan at Pithapuram Colony to the Gandhi statue near GVMC and Jagadamba Junction raising slogans against Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The leaders said that the ‘T’ decision taken by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and the UPA government was not acceptable and demanded the Centre to withdraw it forthwith.

Members of the Andhra University teaching and non-teaching JACs and the Students’ Front were continuing their relay hunger strikes on the campus, badly affecting the routine administrative work and the classes.

Meanwhile, Samaikyandhra Vidyardhi JAC State convenor Lagudu Govind Rao and Samaikyandhra Student JAC State chairman Areti Mahesh released a wall poster on Wednesday for the ensuing ‘Samaikyandhra Millennium Long March’ to be organised from the Indira Gandhi statue near Old Jail Road to Telugu Talli statue at Maddilapalem on August 30. A huge number of students, professionals, businessmen and members of all government organisations would participate in the march.

Workers of the GVMC sanitary wing took out a rally to the Gandhi statue as part of their protest. They sat in front of the statue in hot sun condemning the unilateral decision taken by the Congress. Later, they organised ‘Vanta-Varpu’ at Satyam Computers Junction. The GVMC employees also organised ‘Vanta-Varpu’ at many areas in the city.

The members of Visakhapatnam District Toddy Tappers’ Association, carrying their professional belts, ladders, ropes and sickles, took out an impressive rally from the GVMC to Jagadamba Junction demanding united Andhra. The activists threatened to intensify the agitation if the Centre failed to withdraw its ‘T’ decision. Later, they formed a human chain at Jagadamba Junction paralysing vehicular traffic.

Women advocates and members of the Visakhapatnam Bar Association continued their relay hunger strike in front of the District Court complex on Wednesday. The members raised slogans against Sonia and KCR.