'Rail roko' protest paralyses Telangana for second day

Normal life in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh continued to remain affected for the second consecutive day today due to the ongoing 36-hour 'rail roko' call given by the Telangana JAC in support of their demand for separate statehood.

In view of the rail blockade, train services across Telangana region came to a standstill and rail travellers were forced to face problems as South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled 55 express trains, diverted 55, partially cancelled 48 besides cancelling 222 MMTS or local train services and rescheduling other trains passing through various routes of the region.

The 'rail roko', organised as part of 'Sakal Janula Samme' (general strike by all sections), had begun at 6am yesterday.

Activists of TRS, BJP and pro-Telangana groups led by their leaders continued their demonstrations and organised sit-ins on railway tracks and railway stations at several places in all Telangana districts and Hyderabad city.

Telangana supporters also organised 'Vanta Varpu' (mass cooking) and had lunch on rail tracks and platforms.

Telangana Political Joint Action Committee chairman MKodandaram announced that the 'rail roko' programme was a success and they would call off the protest by 6pm today.

Meanwhile, the general strike entered the 13th day today with pro-Telangana organisations staging protests, carrying out rallies and organising human chains in Warangal, Karimnagar and other Telangana districts.

With the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) suspending its services in Telangana region as a precautionary measure, commuters had a tough time reaching their destinations.

Kodandaram said the next course of action would be announced in a couple of days.

"The 'rail roko' is a huge success. The railway tracks have become venues for various forms of protest like rallies, fasts, cultural shows with all sections of people participating in it. It is difficult to put a figure on the number of places where 'rail roko' was organised but I guess it could be more than 300," he told PTI.

Though there were requests to extend the 'rail roko', it was decided to call off the protest at 6 pm today keeping in view public interest, Kodandaram said.

"We will announce the future course of action in a day or two," he said.

Asked about the appeals from the government to call off the 'sakala janula samme' (strike by all sections of people), Kodandaram said the strike would end automatically if there is concrete response over the separate statehood demand.

Meanwhile, TRS MLA and party president K Chandrasekhar Rao's son KT Rama Rao said his father still considered the option of undertaking indefinite hunger strike in support of separate Telangana demand.

"No final decision has been taken yet. The idea of undertaking fast between Dushhera and Diwali is being considered. A massive 'Chalo Hyderabad' is also being planned," he said.

The strike by all sections of people is being organised by the JAC that comprises TRS, BJP and a number of people's organisations like pro-Telangana Andhra Pradesh government employees.