APNGOs call for bandh on Jan 17, 18; to burn Telangana Bill copies for Bhogi

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers Association on Sunday gave a call for 48-hour bandh from January 17.

Speaking to media persons at NGOs Bhavan here, APNGOs president Ashok Babu said that the State-wide bandh would be observed on January 17 and 18th. However, he said the decision on whether or not to exempt the RTC from the bandh would be taken in a meeting to be held on Monday. The bandh has been called in protest against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Ashok Babu also announced that the APNGOs would also organise Chalo Assembly rally on January 20. However, he said that the call may be withdrawn if Speaker Nadendla Manohar permits voting on Telangana Bill. He said that the Samaikhyandhra movement was at a do or die situation now.

He also condemned the alleged remarks of Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy against the people of Seemandhra region.

Meanwhile, APNGOs General Secretary Chandrasekhar Reddy announced that the copies of AP Reorganisation Bill 2013 would be set ablaze as part of Bhogi, Sankranti celebrations.

Addressing a meeting of APNGOs here, Chandrasekhar Reddy said that the draft Telangana Bill was unconstitutional and therefore, its copies would be burnt during Bhogi celebrations. He described the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh as an attack on Telugu culture.

Chandrasekhar Reddy alleged that some Telangana leaders launched the statehood movement as they failed to get the post of Chief Minister.