Protests stall Tirupati town, pilgrims suffer once again

Tirupati, Aug 29: Thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown and transport was stalled on Wednesday in response to a call given by Samaikyandhra joint action committee in protest against the move to bifurcate the state.

Along with APSRTC and private buses, even taxis, auto rickshaws and lorries went off the roads and hotels remained closed, pilgrims had a difficult day. According to the TOI reports, the protesters exempted free buses operated by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) from railway station to Tirumala from bandh. But due to heavy rush, authorities could not provide transport facility to all. The TTD supplied food to pilgrims as restaurants were closed.

"I had planned to go to temple on Krishnashtami with family. I am forced to pray at home as there is no transport in the town due to the blockade. This is the first time that a major blockade is being observed in the temple town," said V Ramswami, a retired TTD employee.

"The bandh will be observed on Thursday too. Every citizen in Tirupati has supported our call," S Rajareddy, Samaikyandhra JAC president told TOI.

Normal life was paralysed in the town as all sections of the society participated in the agitation. Candlelight rallies were held in the evening.

Police said the bandh was complete and peaceful. "Except for a little traffic jam due to rasta roko at Gajulamanyam, everything went smoothly" Chittoor urban SP Rajasekhar said. As people are voluntarily participating in the bandh, even two wheelers were not seen on the roads, he added.

In Tirupati

Auto rickshaws stop plying. Commuters suffered to go from one place to other as the protests continued over the Telangana issue.

In Tirupati

Piligrims suffered to reach the temple as the protest from Samaikyandhra joint action committee continued in the temple town of Tirupati.

In Tirupati

Posters and banners were displayed as town remained shut.

In Tirupati

Protestors stand on "lorries" and join hands in protest.

In Tirupati

Temple provided food to pilgrims as hotels remained shut.

In Tirupati

Tirupati Tirumala entrance suffered with no piligrims as the protest continued.

In Tirupati

Thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown and transport was stalled on Wednesday in response to a call given by Samaikyandhra joint action committee in protest against the move to bifurcate the state.

In Tirupati

State and city transport stalled and thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown and transport was stalled on Wednesday.

In Tirupati

Thousands of Samaikyandhra joint action committee members in protest against the move to bifurcate the state.

In Tirupati

"We want Samiakyandhra," women joins the protest over the state bifurcation in Tirupati.

In Tirupati

Protestors surrounding a car.

In Tirupati

Transport stalled. Thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown.

In Tirupati

Protestors block roads. Samaikyandhra joint action committee called protest against the move to bifurcate the state.

In Tirupati

Closed shops. Thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown.

In Tirupati

Deserted roads. Thousands of Tirupati pilgrims were put to inconvenience as the temple town observed a complete shutdown.

OneIndia News