#APDemandsSpecialStatus, Andhra Pradesh youth RK Beach Vizag
The Central government assured special category status to the state when the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act in February 2014 was passed. The Narendra Modi-led government, however, backtracked on its promise on technical grounds and instead, announced a special financial package in September last year.
Taking cue from Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu protest, Andhra Pradesh youth called for a silent protest at the RK Beach today demanding special category status (SCS) for the state. Though the police have denied permission for silent protest, the youth are actively participating.
07:30 PM: Towards end of the day – The silent protest was successful done by police at RK Beach. Cases were filed against almost 500 people various sections. Leaders and volunteers were arrested in various districts of Andhra Pradesh. Vishakapatnam airport witnessed high drama between police and YSRCP president. All the Tollywood actors restricted themselves to twitter except Sampoornesh Babu. The war of words and the blame game endures between the ruling party and the opposition parties. Candle light protests continue at several places in different districts. Vizag Celebrates republic day with curfew.
06:30 PM: Students at Andhra University staging demonstration demanding SCS. Jagan is being transported back to Hyderabad forcefully by the police. YSRCP volunteers detained by police. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu attends Governor’s ‘At Home’ as part of Republic day celebrations.
06:00 PM: Youngsters have conducted a peaceful protest in Bangalore requesting Special Category Status. Jagan loses his composure due to the behavior of police and is now in conversation with the Opposition leader.
04:45 PM: AP DGP says no demonstrations and sessions will be permitted for next three days. It is unfair to conduct protests in Vizag on republic day as the country is on high alert. Strict action will be taken for people going against police.
04:20 PM: Perhaps the police are planning to send Jagan back without letting him get out of airport. Consequently, Jagan protests at the airport along with 6 other YSRCP leaders
"We Want Special Status" అనే నినాదాలతో నిరసన రన్ వే పై బైఠాయించి తెెలుపుతున్న పోరాట యోధుడు @ysjagan #APFightsForSpecialStatus pic.twitter.com/CY6KQsltZ4
— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) January 26, 2017
04:02 PM: House arrest of leaders continues with latest detention of Botsa Satyanarayana and Amarnath. Vizag airport swarming with police as Jagan lands in Vizag.
03:38 PM: After a day long wait people finally managed to enter the RK Beach crossing police barricades.
They are peacefully trying to hoist Indian flag in beach but are being dispersed and detained by police.
Pawan Kalyan applauded the youth and asked for a unconditional release of all the people who are detained
03:18 PM: Detained students are being given Vizag city tour in police jeeps. Small scale protests are happening at KBR park in Hyderabad. Pawan Kalyan condemned Sujana chowdary’s words and said his statements are provocative.
03:00 PM: An SCS activist was found distributing sweets to police requesting them to support agitation at Vizag. Student organisations are continuing their protests where possible. Reports suggest that police are specifically targeting youngsters wearing black or white shirt.
02:40 PM: JP Narayan of Loksatta condemned the police behaviour and tweeted “Republic Day is abt celebration of freedom & Constitution. Banning non-violent protest & peaceful assembly & arresting ppl r wrong wrong”
Republic Day is abt celebration of freedom & Constitution. Banning non-violent protest & peaceful assembly & arresting ppl r wrong.
— Jayaprakash Narayan (@JP_LOKSATTA) January 26, 2017
02:30 PM: Pawan Kalyan targets Rayapati regarding special category status on twitter. The actor claimed that to declare Polavaram as national project the ruling party sacrificed SCS. He also tweeted that the leaders neither protest nor allow others to protest.
#APDemandsSpecialStatus pic.twitter.com/McbwjrSrJC
— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) January 26, 2017
02:20 PM: Cable TV has been disconnected in Amalapuram. Chandrababu met PM Modi 26times regarding special category status says Gali Mudhukrishnama Naidu. Ruling party leaders expressing dismay on choosing Republic Day for protest. TDP leader Bonda Uma accuses Jagan of disrupting the CII meet scheduled on 27-28th to show others that vizag is not a good place for investment
1:53 PM: DGP who is at Vizag airport said that the arrests are precautionary measure. He also said that protests need not be done at beach they can be done from home too. Additionally the decision on Jagan and his march will be taken once he reaches Vizag. The candle rally location is completely under the control of police.
1:30 PM: Chandrababu Naidu postponed his trip to Vizag which was scheduled for 6:00pm today due to the tense situation in the city. YS Jagan enroute to Vizag to participate in candle rally today evening.
1:00 PM: The protest at Kakinada Dmart center was dispersed by police and youth got injured. Section 30 and 144 in all the district headquarters of the state. Scores of people mostly students have been demonstrating in several places. Women protestors were detained at Lenin Center in Vijayawada.
Ganta Srinivas asked Jagan and Pawan Kalyan to withdraw from protest. Opposition parties condemn the action taken by the AP police
12:30 PM: Almost 500 youth detained by police at GVMC. The Commissioner of Police, Vishakapatnam said that lack of permission forced them to beef up security. Furthermore he said, “Section 144 is the reason things are peaceful here”
12:15 PM: Sampoornesh Babu applauding the youth said, “Special Category Status is a Position and Special package is alms from central government. If we get SCS, telugu people will be happy and so will be the state. I am from Telangana but I came to support the youth of AP. Chandra Babu Naidu who works so hard for developing state should get special status. The protest by youth can be considered successful especially looking at the number of police deployed”
On another hand, Sujana Chowdary shot back with reckless comments like, “If Jallikattu is your inspiration, go play jallikattu… go play rooster fights and pig fights. SCS is a closed issue”
11:45 AM: Chandrababu Naidu supposedly in discussion with Vishaka MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao and Achaiah Naidu and are closely monitoring the situation in Vizag. Police arrest JanaSena volunteers at Alankar Center in Vijaywada and YSRCP leaders in Srikakulam. Protests in various districts of the state continues. Actor Sampoornesh Babu arrested for supporting APSCS.
11:20 AM: 15year old Dasari Chinna from Madhurawada government school arrested at YMCA beach road. Youngsters in Nellore participate in silent protest. The police who earlier said that they cannot arrange security in short span of time, have taken U-turn deployed 1000s of police. Restrictions are placed on Media and specifically students.
11:00 AM: Police disrupt the silent protest and arrested youth at VUDA park. They disordered CPM rally at GVMC and a lot of the protestors were trying to escape the police. Students are being taken in open police vans especially the ones speaking to media on SCS were arrested. Students are not even shouting slogans. Vishakapatnam goes silent on Republic Day with an emergency situation.
10:45 AM: Students at beach road said – “Police are chasing us with Lathis. We are not carrying any arms but only placards”. Youngsters questioning the government as to why they are not being allowed to protest silently.
Youth are calling upon their peers and are requesting not to lose hope and be strong.
10:30 AM: YSRCP to conduct candle march today evening. All the National Highways leading to Vishakapatnam under tight security. Central Minister Sujana Chowdary defends Chandrababu and said SCS issue is closed. JanaSena protests at Krishna Lanka in Vijaywada. Congress conducting a silent protest in Guntur at Hindu college center
10:15 AM: A group of youngsters marched in Vizag with black cloth tied around their mouths. Police tried to provoke the youth but they remained composed. The police chased away protesters and detained some of the students.
10:00 AM: All roads to the beach barricaded. Octopus, Greyhounds police deployed at Vishaka RK beach. Sampoornesh Babu landed in Vizag for #APSpecialStatus silent protest as informed earlier. Students to gather at a new venue – VUDA park
9:45 AM: Police intensify checks on commuters in Vishakhapatnam. ID card has to be displayed by all of its citizens. Around 30 students who were marching towards Vishaka RK beach for a silent protest arrested by police. Both girls and boys dragged by the police and sent to police station. As per the set rules earlier, the youth were wearing seen white shirt and carrying the national flag. Section 30 imposed in Ananthapur. Several YSRCP leaders placed under house arrest.
9:30 AM: Restrictions on giving hotel rooms to visitors at RK Beach. Emergency imposed in important places at Tirupathi, Vijayawada. Youth are protesting at administration block in S.V.University in Tirupati. Students and Youth leaders of YSRCP dragged and arrested by police
9:00 AM: The Vishakapatnam city police have restricted down on the gathering of five more persons, by imposing section 144 of CrpC. Parents received SMS to restrict their children from participating in the silent protest. Police heavily deployed at the beach and took complete control of the beach surroundings. (around 1200 police anticipated) . RK beach goes empty.
