Protests continue over Telangana, two more ministers quit

Two more Andhra Pradesh ministers today resigned from the Cabinet to protest the proposed bifurcation of the state, even as turmoil over a separate Telangana continued in the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions.

Health Minister Kondru Murali Mohan and Forest Minister Satrucharla Vijayarama Raju resigned from Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy led government, taking the number of ministers who quit in support of a united Andhra Pradesh to 11.

Mohan and Raju met Reddy at his camp office this afternoon and handed over their resignation letters.

Congress MLAs and leaders from the two regions opposed to creation of Telangana state have also planned a protest in Delhi tomorrow.

The APNGOs (Government employees), opposed to the division, have also threatened to go ahead with their strike from this midnight.

Meanwhile, protests continued for the 13th day today in Seemandhra region against the move to carve out Telangana.

"Agitations are on. However, the situation is under control in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra districts," Additional Director General (Law and Order) VSK Kaumudi told PTI.

Protesting Congress and UPA's decision on bifurcation, supporters of united Andhra Pradesh including students and members of various organisations took to streets across Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra.

They took out massive rallies, formed human chains and held demonstrations on roads.

At the state secretariat here, employees of Seemandhra region took out a rally blindfolded and tried to gherao ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy and Pithani Satyanarayana demanding their resignations.

Holding placards that read 'Jai Samaikyandhra', the agitators raised slogans in support of united Andhra Pradesh and took out bike rallies in Anantapur, Chittoor, Srikakulam and other districts.

"The protests are continuing peacefully," DIG (Anantapur Range) B Balkrishna said.

A report from Visakhapatnam, said rallies, relay fasts and dharnas continued in the district.

Students of various colleges took out a rally from the main gate of the Andhra University, while employees of the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Ltd (APEPDCPL), who were on relay fast for the last six days, took out a rally from their corporate office.

The AP Road Transport Corporation Authorities said that except for long route buses to Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, those on other routes in Visakhapatnam district plied as usual.

Meanwhile, the Road Transport Corporation employees who were on a relay fast, have decided to keep off duty from midnight as part of the strike planned by the state government employees.

The relay fast by the Joint Action Committee of lawyers of various Bar associations is also continuing.

The petrol dealers association in the district has decided to close their outlets for 24 hours from tomorrow to express their solidarity with the agitators.

The King George Hospital(KGH) Doctors and Medical College students also took out a rally.

Congress MLAs and other party leaders from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions have decided to hold a protest in Delhi tomorrow in support of a united state.

The leaders from the two regions would assemble in Delhi tomorrow where the details of the protest would be worked out, state Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath said.

11 Andhra Pradesh ministers and several Congress MLAs and MLCs from the two regions have resigned their posts remonstrating the proposed bifurcation of the state.

The Congress high command has set up a four-member committee headed by Defence Minister A K Antony to address the concerns of the people of Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra belt.