Telangana region remains tense

Situation in Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh continued to be tense today with a series of agitations, despite the relaxation in the 48-hour bandh call by TRS and other parties in view of Christmas.
    
Widespread protests, demonstrations, road blockades and rallies were held in several Telangana districts while Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) activists allegedly attacked Civil Supplies Department's godown and burnt vehicles in Mahabubnagar district.
    
In Warangal city, the JAC protesters allegedly pelted stones at the house of major irrigation minister P Lakshmaiah, demanding him to resign the post and extend support for separate Telangana statehood. However, the police prevented them from entering into the minister's house.
    
Raising pro-Telangana slogans, hundreds of students took out massive rallies and later assembled in front of the Kakatiya University in Warangal and staged a demonstration.
    
In Adilabad district, pro-Telangana activists also held rallies, staged road blockades and burnt effigies, while in Karimnagar agitators damaged eight trucks besides burning a car and a jeep in Godavarikhani, police said.
    
The protesters also set afire railway signal cabin office near Raghavapur railway station late last night, police said.
    
The two-day bandh call was given by Telangana Rashtra Samiti yesterday after Centre decided to put the statehood issue on the backburner. The JAC, however, withdrew the bandh call today following an appeal made by Christian organizations in view of Christmas celebrations.