Naidu reaches Warangal amid shutdown, protests

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Ignoring police advice, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu reached Warangal district Friday amid shutdown and protests by pro-Telangana groups against his visit.

Tension prevailed in Warangal as Naidu's convoy entered the district with massive police security.

The former chief minister, who left Hyderabad in the morning, had to face protests from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and other groups at several places along the 150-km route.

Windowpanes of one car in Naidu's convoy were damaged in the stone throwing by TRS activists at Aler in Nalgonda district. The protesters also threw slippers, tomatoes and eggs at the convoy at Aler and Rayagiri.

Protesters at Jangaon in Warangal district pelted stones at policemen deployed as part of the security for Naidu's visit. Police retaliated with baton charge.

Naidu, who is visiting Warangal as part of his 'rythu yatra', faced the first protest at Tarnaka in Hyderabad when students of Osmania University threw stones at his convoy. Police used teargas shells to disperse the agitating students.

Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the TRS and other Telangana groups, has called for a shutdown in Warangal district to protest Naidu's visit.

They want the TDP chief to first make his stand clear on separate statehood to Telangana before visiting the district.

The shutdown call has evoked total response in the district with shops and business establishments closed.

Educational institutions also declared a holiday while most of the buses of state-owned Road Transport Corporation remained off the roads, fearing violence.

The superintendent of police of Warangal district had Thursday advised Naidu not to visit the district in view of the tense situation. But ignoring the advice, Naidu embarked on the visit with a convoy of over 200 vehicles.

Police arrested several leaders and activists of the JAC, the TRS and other groups in Warangal district as a precautionary measure.