Curfew in Guntur over blast in shrine

Vehicular traffic between Guntur and Vijayawada was badly affected as boulders and other obstructions were put at Mangalagiri, Chinakakani, Pedakakani and other places.

A large number of policemen, including special force, were deployed in Guntur to prevent further trouble. Several RTC buses were either stoned or burnt immediately after the blast in which two persons were injured.

Shops, business establishments, educational institutions, cinema theatres, hotels and markets remained closed. As prohibitory orders were imposed in the entire town, most people preferred to stay indoors.

However, curfew was confined to areas falling under three police stations. An uneasy calm prevailed in Mayabazar, Anandpet and other areas in Old Town, where people belonging to a particular community are in dominant number.

People were not allowed on any of the main roads or approach roads to RTC bus station or those leading to the old town.

There was largescale violence in the bus station last night when people belonging to a community went on a rampage. Apart from several RTC buses and some private vehicles too, damage was caused to the bus station building, wiring and software systems.

According to AHN Bhaktha, executive director of APSRTC, 26 RTC buses and two private vehicles were burnt in yesterday’s violence. Several private shops were also destroyed. The loss to RTC was estimated at Rs 1.82 crore while shop owners suffered Rs 40 lakh loss.

The RTC employees at the bus station resisted the unruly crowds when they tried to set fire to buses. The mobs went back and returned with more number and went ahead with their task.

People complained that several passengers who were standing at the NTR bus station had lost their belongings, jewellery and money when the mobs looted them.