Normal life was affected in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as the bandh called by the Telangana students joint action committee (TSJAC) began this morning.

The shut down has been called by the students groups in support of their demand for deletion of Clause 14 (F) of 1975 presidential order that makes Hyderabad a freezone for employment.

Though the centre on Tuesday decided to repeal the clause 14(F), student bodies decided to go ahead with their bandh as the final orders are yet to be released. Schools, colleges, shops and other commercial establishements remained closed and the state-run APSRTC suspended its services at various places as a precautionary measure.

The commuters had a tough time as the public transport buses were not available and private operators like auto drivers had a field day TRS and other major parties extended their support to the bandh.

The bandh suppoorters held rallies and other forms of protest at various places. The students groups and all political parties in Telangana have been agitating for the deletion of clause 14(F) saying that the Andhra Pradesh capital should be a part of other Telangana districts and not remain as a freezone for employment.

The Andhra Pradesh assembly had passed a resolution urging the centre to take steps for the repeal of clause 14 (F). The cabinet committee on political affairs (CCPA) yesterday decided to recommend to the president for the repeal of the clause.