AP foils Chennai-type stir in Vizag ONLY SAMPOO, THAMMAREDDY TURN UP IN AP

Inspired by Tamil Nadu’s recent Jallikattu protests, thousands of people tried to reach the iconic RK Beach on Thursday to take part in the silent protest demanding Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, which has been denied by the Centre.

They were, however, detained by the police at various places in the city before they could reach the beach. The protest was called by an unknown group on social media platforms a few days ago.

Curfew-like conditions prevailed in and around RK Beach on Thursday. Hundreds of police and other security forces fanned out across the city to prevent protesters from entering the beach road to participate in the proposed silent protest. Leaders of various political parties were taken into preventive custody from Wednesday midnight.

Despite all the curbs, crowds of mainly young people marched towards the beach road where they were detained.

Four busloads of students coming from Kakinada to take part in the protest were stopped at Payakaraopeta. Many young people from nearby places and towns also reached Vizag on Wednesday night to participate in the protest.

A group from Andhra Youth stayed in apartments on the beach road overnight so as to reach the protest spot early in the morning. But they were arrested as they tried to reach the beach road.