Protesters vandalise shops, petrol pump during bandh in Hyderabad

There was tension in parts of Hyderabad on Saturday morning, October 18, 2025, as groups of protesters damaged shops, fuel stations, restaurants and other commercial establishments during the Telangana-wide bandh. The bandh was called by major parties to seek support for 42% reservation in local body elections and put pressure on both the Telangana government and the central government.

At around 9.30 am in Barkatpura, a group of BC leaders attacked an HP petrol pump, breaking glass panels and damaging exhibition units. They also targeted Bajaj Electronics showroom in Nallakunta and a nearby tiffin centre, pelting stones and forcing the establishments to close for a few hours.

“They started with the Bajaj showroom in Nallakunta, then moved towards Raghavendra Tiffin Center and finally targeted the HP petrol pump located about 100 to 200 meters away,” Kachiguda Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACP) Y. Harish Kumar said.

Protesters, who were part of the bike rally, reached the site and were seen forcing traders to close shops in the Habsiguda-Tarnaka area, causing brief disruptions to traffic and business activities.

Despite the damage, no formal complaint was lodged with either Nallakunta or Kachiguda police. Officers said normalcy returned around noon, with shops reopening and commercial activities resuming.

Police said Bajaj showroom management informed them that they were not aware of the bandh and hence did not want to lodge a complaint.