Anantapur: Violence continued for the third day in many parts of Rayalaseema on Friday. Protestors expressed their anger on the statues of national leaders and came on to the streets to mount pressure on all parties and the Centre to reverse the decision to bifurcate the state.
Samaikyandhra activists set two private buses on fire near NH-44 on the outskirts of Anantapur in the wee hours of Friday. Tension gripped Hindupur when a mob tried to attack a police jeep and set it on fire. The police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the attackers.
A large number of activists tonsured their heads at the Ambedkar circle protesting against the division of the state. Violence rocked Dhone in Kurnool district where a large crowd vandalised the statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and set it on fire.
The activists also set afire the statue of former Chief Minister Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy at Dhone demanding the resignation of Union minister of state for Railways Kotla Jayasuryaprakash Reddy.
Protesters demonstrated ‘Vanta Varpu’ on the main road at Kadapa and also extended support to Samaikyandhra JAC Kadapa district convener S. Ramachandra Reddy’s indefinite fast which reached the third day at the Kadapa collectorate.
Lorry and mini-lorry associations took out a procession with their vehicles on the main roads of Anantapur city demanding to keep the state united. Doctors and nursing students also took out a demonstration at Anantapur. Medical services were paralysed on Friday as doctors joined the agitation.
Medical college professors association leader Dr A. Paradesi Naidu demanded a reversal of the decision to create Telangana. Thousands of women continued their protest on Friday and demanded that ministers and other representatives quit.
Activists built a grave for AICC president Sonia Gandhi and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Dharamavaram in Anantapur district. With violence continuing, a large number security personnel have been deployed in the Rayalaseema region.
Next: Ministers join stir

Ministers join stir
It was warm welcome for ministers T.G. Venkatesh and Erasu Prathap Reddy, who tendered their resignations protesting against the Congress Working Committee’s decision to carve out separate Telangana state on Thursday, on the outskirts of Kurnool borders by the Samaikyandhra activists on Friday.
Minor irrigation minister T.G. Venkatesh and law minister Erasu Prathap Reddy were taken out a procession towards Kondareddy Fort in Kurnool.
It may be noted, only two ministers from the Rayalseema region had tendered their resignations while other ministers including Samaikyandhra JAC convener Sake Sailajanath were in dilemma even after announcing their decision to tender resignations.
T.G. Venkatesh, who is also founder of Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika, joined the agitation, demanded the Centre should change the decision following tension in the Seemandhra region including Hyderabad city.
Criticising the Telugu Desam and YSR Congress for supporting the formation of Telangana state, Venkatesh alleged that they had major share in the decision.
“We will mount pressure on the Centre and Congress high command to announce a clear structure including the state capital, water allocation and also future development of backward Rayalaseema region.”
Similarly, six TD MLAs from Anantapur district, who were faxed their resignations on Thursday, joined the agitation in Anantapur. TD politburo member Kaluva Sreenivasulu accused the Congress of not announcing plan and future steps over allocation of funds and water sources and also state capital.
MLAs Paritala Sunitha, B.K.Partha Sarathi, Palle Raghunath Reddy and P. Kesav joined in the procession on Anantapur roads.