On the 5th of March, the Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee (VUPPC) called for a state bandh against the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP.)
Political parties of Andhra Pradesh like the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP,) the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the JanaSena extended their support for the bandh. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in A.P., did not extend their support and criticised the statewide bandh.
Several trade unions also joined the VUPPC and protested against the decision of privatising the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant also known as RINL. The bandh has impacted transport services in the State. Many shops and statewide educational institutions are also shut in the wake of the bandh.
People also suffered as the State run transportations was halted till 1:00 P.M., in order to extend their support against the VSP privatisation. The Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) drivers and conductors would sport black badges while running services as a protest.
Auto unions, Lorry owners associations, public associations, women’s unions and trade unions also supported the bandh.
However, banks, theatres and other business establishments are functioning normally.
In addition, many political leaders like TDP President Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the YSRCP Member of Parliament (MP) Vijayasai Reddy extended support and took out rallies in Visakhapatnam.
Meanwhile, A.P., Police deployed personnel at several locations to control any violent activities during bandh.
The people of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh are also expressing agitation against the VSP privatisation.
After several attempts by the YSRCP Government and opposition parties’ criticism, the Central Government did not roll back the orders of privatisation. In order to intensify the agitation, the VUPPC called for a bandh.
This is the first Statewide protest organised in Andhra Pradesh against the VSP privatisation.
Stay tuned for further updates.
