Telangana shutdown affects normal life in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Mar.27 (ANI): Streets in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh wore a deserted look after business establishments and shops were forced to roll down their shutters on Tuesday in support of creating a separate state of Telangana.

Ahsaan Ali, a businessman, expressed his displeasure over the frequent shutdown calls, saying it was causing losses to both industry and trade in the region.

"We are facing lot of problems in our business due to the shutdown. Boys are not coming to work. We are suffering with the losses. Is Telangana row or TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) going to compensate our loss or any other political party is going to reimburse it. They are just calling this kind of shutdown for the benefit their own whims and fancies," said Ali.

The call for shutdown came in the wake of the self-immolation by two students for the cause of separate statehood.

Hundreds of students faced problems as their examinations were postponed.

Venkatesh, a student, called on Telangana activists and the government to resolve the imbroglio over the separate state in a right manner.

"The government should take some actions against such Bandhs (shutdown). I think these kinds of strikes are not good. They should talk with the government and solve the problems," said Venkatesh.

The Congress-ruled government had deferred the decision to carve a new state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh, causing immense unrest in the region.

The chances of an immediate resolution, paving the way for the formation of Telangana appears slim, as most politicians are sharply divided within their own parties on this issue. (ANI)