Police across the state of Andhra Pradesh, tried to foil massive protests being held by the YSR Congress party leaders, workers, students, activists and supporters demanding Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP leaders including Botsa Satyanarayana, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, Ambati Rambabu and other leaders were illegally detained in different parts of the state. Similar detentions were carried out forcibly by the cops in cities and towns across Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur and Godavari districts, police went on an overdrive arresting YSRCP leaders, workers and supporters.

Also read:AP Bandh: Roja, Ambati Rambabu Arrested

In Kurnool, policemen unaccompanied by women cops, forcibly pulled YSRCP lady workers and activists.

Anantapur saw a tense situation with policemen trying to disrupt a peaceful protest by YSRCP. Senior leader of the party, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was illegally detained, while another YSRCP leader, Balineni Srinivasa Reddy was placed under house arrest in Ongole.

In Vijayawada, senior YSRCP leader Malladi Vishnu and several other party workers were detained even as they were taking out a mammoth rally. The situation at the Vijayawada bus stand also became tense owing to police highhandedness.

Students, shopkeepers and common citizens came forward volunatarily to particpate in the bandh in support of YSRCP.

Speaking to media persons in Vizag, senior party leader Ummareddy Venkateswarulu said that Chandrababu Naidu proved once again that he was in active collusion with the BJP by coming down heavily on YSRCP's protest for Special Category Status to the state.

Condemning the attitude of the TDP government YSRCP MLA from Nagari in Chittoor district said that the dictatorial behaviour of the Chandrababu regime revealed that the ruling party was clearly in collusion with the BJP. Instead of supporting the YSRCP on its demand for SCS, Chandrababu ordered a despotic crackdown on its leaders and workers. TDP would be swept away by the tide of popular anger, she said.

Meanwhile, scores of supporters took to the streets to express their solidarity with YSRCP.

Also Read:Protests In Support Of YSRCP Bandh Call