Ahead of CM’s visit, Kodangal observes bandh to protest against shifting of colleges to Lagacherla

Kodangal witnessed a town-wide bandh ahead of CM A Revanth Reddy’s visit, with residents protesting the government’s decision to shift schools and colleges from Appayapally to Lagacherla. Shopkeepers and locals supported the bandh, citing concerns over the town’s development.

Kodangal: All commercial establishments and general services remained shut in Kodangal town on Monday ahead of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s visit, as residents protested the Congress government’s decision to shift educational institutions from Appayapally to Lagacherla in Dudyala mandal.

The Chief Minister represents the Kodangal constituency, and the streets wore a deserted look with establishments closed voluntarily by owners. The Chief Minister is expected to arrive in the afternoon to attend the Akshaya Patra Foundation programme.

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Residents and shopkeepers expressed anger over the government’s move to relocate educational institutions. Acting on the call of the Kodangal Development Committee Joint Action Committee, they extended full support to the bandh.

The State government had earlier sanctioned a medical college, a veterinary college and an integrated school for Appayapally in Kodangal mandal. Locals said nearly 70 acres had already been acquired at Appayapally for the medical college and works had commenced. Construction of the integrated school began in Kodangal town but came to a sudden halt over the last few weeks, with machinery reportedly shifted to Lagacherla.

The Joint Action Committee argued that shifting the institutions would hamper Kodangal’s development and questioned the rationale behind the decision, pointing out that several industrial units were already operating in Lagacherla.

On October 16, residents of Parsapur staged a rasta roko in protest. Villagers squatted on the roads, raising slogans demanding that the colleges and schools remain in their originally sanctioned locations.