Tension in Shadnagar as MLA Veerlapalli Shankar detained during BC bandh protest

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed in Shadnagar town of Ranga Reddy district on Saturday after MLA Veerlapalli Shankar joined the BC bandh protest on the Bengaluru–Hyderabad highway.

MLA Veerlapalli Shankar was detained as a protest blocked traffic

Veerlapalli Shankar sat on the road along with hundreds of Congress leaders and workers, demanding immediate implementation of 42 per cent BC reservations. As the protest intensified, traffic came to a standstill on the busy national highway.

Police reached the spot and tried to disperse the crowd. When the MLA refused to move, officers detained and shifted him to the local police station. After his arrest, traffic movement gradually resumed on the highway.

BC bandh continues across Telangana

Meanwhile, the BC bandh continued across Telangana, disrupting public transport and business activities. From early morning, RTC buses stayed off roads, and major bus depots remained closed.

Shops and commercial establishments also extended voluntary support to the bandh, keeping their shutters down. Despite minor tensions at a few places, officials said the protest largely remained peaceful.

Political parties from across the spectrum participated in the shutdown, with leaders calling it a united stand for BC reservations in local bodies.