Widespread protests across Andhra Pradesh over demonetization

Opposition parties organised widespread protests across Andhra Pradesh against the Centre's demonetization move but no bandh as such was observed in the state today even as leaders of CPI and YSRC were detained at some places following demonstrations.

Congress's state unit president N Raghuveera Reddy led his party workers in a protest rally from Andhra Ratna Bhavan to Lenin Centre. "We are not against the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes but why did the government introduce Rs 2000 note," Raghuveera said.

He said the common man was put to untold misery because of the "abrupt" decision of the Centre to ban the high denomination notes.

CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna and others were taken into custody at the Lenin Centre where they staged a protest on the demonetization issue. In Tirupati, YSR Congress leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and others were taken into custody.

In Guntur city too YSRC leaders, led by West MLA Mustafa, were detained by police following a protest rally. YSRC leaders and workers were also taken into custody in many other districts of the state where protests were held.

Left-affiliated trade unions organised dharnas in front of many bus depots of AP State Road Transport Corporation in the state.

However, RTC services were not disrupted.