Bandh over police action evokes partial response in AP towns

Hyderabad, Feb 26 (PTI) A bandh called today in twotowns of Andhra Pradesh''s Srikakulam district protesting thecaning and firing of rubber bullets on people opposing theconstruction of a thermal power plant evoked partial response.

The shutdown in Tekkali and Somapeta towns evokedpartial response with only a few shops and businessestablishments remaining closed, police said.

Seven policemen and four agitators were injured in aclash yesterday at Vaddithandra and H M Peta during theprotest against the the setting up of a 2,640 coal-based powerplant by East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd at Kakarapalli.

Police used canes, teargas shells and fired rubberbullets to disperse the mob which attacked them with logs,iron rods and indulged in heavy stone pelting when policetried to remove the protesters from their sit-in sites.

Superintendent of Police K V V Gopal Rao said at least98 persons have been arrested in connection with the attack onpolicemen and violent incidents.

Meanwhile, the protesters have given a bandh call inentire Srikakulam district for February 28.