The bandh called by Bhadradri Chamber of Commerce demanding creation of a separate district of Bhadrachalam, disrupted normal life in the temple town on Tuesday.
The main thoroughfares wore a deserted look with the traders downing their shutters voluntarily in support of the bandh.
Bus services were disrupted for some time after the activists owing allegiance to Bhadrachalam Zilla Sadhana Committee led by its convener B. Shankar Reddy staged a demonstration at the bus station in the morning.
They raised slogans demanding formation of a new district with Bhadrachalam as its headquarters for better administration and accelerated development of the Bhadrachalam Agency.
Addressing the demonstrators, Mr. Shankar Reddy said the divisional headquarters town of Bhadrachalam, a famous pilgrim centre in the State, is a perfect choice to be declared the district headquarters considering its strategic location bordering three States – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Bhadrachalam division has suffered severe injustice following the transfer of its four mandals to Andhra Pradesh as per the State Reorganisation Act, he said, stressing on the need for carving out a separate district of Bhadrachalam from Khammam district to pave way for its comprehensive development.
Folk artistes performed cultural programmes highlighting the need for the formation of Bhadrachalam district to give a fillip to the all-round development of the Agency areas.
Mild tension
Mild tension prevailed at Ambedkar Centre when two persons climbed a giant hoarding demanding declaration of Bhadrachalam as a district headquarters. The police intervened and brought them down. Meanwhile, the Bhadrachalam Zilla Sadhana Committee has called off its fortnight-long relay hunger strike on Tuesday in view of the government’s reported decision to undertake a scientific study for reorganising the districts.
However, the committee has decided to continue its efforts to push for separate Bhadrachalam district at various forums.
