Hyderabad: The Karimnagar bandh called by the BRS on Saturday triggered house arrests, arrests and heavy police deployment across Karimnagar following protests over alleged attacks on party leaders and offices.
The BRS announced the protest to oppose the alleged attack by BJP workers on the camp office of Karimnagar MLA Gangula Kamalakar and on Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy.
Police deployed a large force near Gangula Kamalakar’s residence early on Saturday morning and stopped him from stepping out. Officials later shifted him to LMD Police Station. Police also closed the main entrance of his residence to stop followers from entering the premises.
Former mayor Ravinder Singh and city president Challa Harishankar were among the leaders police arrested during the protest.
Karimnagar bandh sees arrests and police deployment
Meanwhile, Sunke Ravishankar tried to travel from Burugupalli to Karimnagar to join the protest programme. Police intercepted him midway and shifted him to his residence in Burugupalli, where he remained under house arrest.
Business and trade associations in several parts of Karimnagar voluntarily observed the bandh by keeping commercial establishments closed. The BRS appealed to traders to support the protest by shutting shops and business establishments.
However, BJP leaders asked traders not to support the protest, arguing that the bandh did not concern public issues.
Anticipating tension, police officials deployed additional personnel across the city to prevent untoward incidents. Police teams also continued arresting BRS leaders and workers who gathered on roads during the protest.
Despite the political tension and arrests, normalcy remained largely unaffected in several parts of Karimnagar.