Bharat Bandh in Telangana: 40 Opposition leaders held for dharna at bus station, buses plying in minimal numbers

Hyderabad: The Bharat Bandh call given by several Opposition parties over rising petrol and diesel prices on Monday evoked a mixed response, as it was business as usual in many parts of the state, including the capital city. No untoward incidents have been reported so far, police said. [caption id=“attachment_5152551” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Telangana police. AFP[/caption] The police took scores of leaders and workers of the Congress, left and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) into custody when they held protests near Road Transport Corporation depots, preventing buses from plying on roads. All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Srinivasan Krishnan and 40 others were taken into preventive custody in Karimnagar town after they staged a dharna in front of RTC bus station in Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district, a police official said. “They were later shifted to the police training centre,” the official said. Srinivasan Krishnan told PTI that besides the central taxes, local TRS government has also levied more tax, further burdening the public. A senior official of the TSRTC told PTI there was no disruption of services in any district of the state. “We have not received any reports of disruption of services. Our officials are in touch with police officials. If there is any law and order problem respective depot managers will take a decision on running the services,” the official said. Reports indicate that many government and commercial establishments are conducting activities normally. Osmania University Vice-Chancellor S Ramachandran told PTI the pre-PhD examination which was scheduled to be held Monday has been postponed for Tuesday. According to him, all the educational institutions affiliated to the varsity are open and functioning. A senior official of the State School Education Department said they have not issued any orders to close schools in view of the bandh. However, respective school headmasters will take a decision as and when necessary. RTC buses were seen plying in minimal numbers. Petrol bunks remained open and some of the commercial establishments and educational institutions remain closed in Karimnagar and Warangal, reports indicated. Follow LIVE updates on the Bharat Bandh here.