VISAKHAPATNAM: Chaos prevailed for over an hour at the city’s busy Jagadamba Junction as YSRC and Congress activists staged a massive dharna Saturday against Central government for refusing to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh as promised before the elections.
The CPM staged a protest at the Collectorate Junction. Police took the agitators into custody and diverted traffic in the area to ease traffic jams. With it being the weekend, a large number of people who ventured out on their vehicles were left frustrated after being stuck in traffic for hours while bearing the brunt of the summer heat.
The situation was siilar at the Jagadamba Junction, where a large number of Congress agitators gathered there in protest and blocked the area completely, bringing traffic to a halt. Partymen raised slogans and burnt effigies of the Central government.
YSRC activists, led by city president G Amarnath, blamed the State government for failing to get the special status. Amarnath said that Narendra Modi and BJP leaders made false promises during the elections.
To prevent traffic jams, vehicles going towards Poorna Market were diverted towards Suryabagh and KGH Road, while vehicles to the RTC complex were diverted to ply via Leela Mahal junction and Dabagardens.
Tension prevailed as police took agitators into custody, and resorted to lathicharge to control the activists.