JOIN USWhile the Union Cabinet decision to carve Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh was celebrated in the Telangana region by distributing sweets and firing crackers, the Andhra Pradesh NGOs the umbrella organisation spearheading the Samaikhyaandhra agitation has warned of civil war, terming the decision unfortunate and calling a 48-hour shut down of the Seemandhra region from Friday.
"The fight is not yet over, we demand the Union government to tear the decision just like the ordinance on convicted law makers, which was dumped," APNGOs chief Ashok Babu said reacting to the announcement by union home minister.
As the news of cabinet decision spread like wild fire, protests broke out in all the simmering 13 districts of Seemandhra. Protesters took to streets in different parts of Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) and laid siege to highways causing severe traffic snarls. They also rushed to the residences of union ministers and MPs, and demanded their resignations to mount pressure on the central government to revert its decision.
High alert
The state police are on high alert following flared up emotions in Seemandhra region following approval of CWC decision to carve Telangana by union cabinet. The state police administration was directed by the Union Home Ministry to remain vigilant and step up security measures in Telangana as well as Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions.
State DGP Prasad Rao held discussions with regional IGs and district SPs through video conferencing and reviewed the law and order situation in the state, especially in the Seemandhra region where a 48-hour bandh call has been given by the Visalandhra JAC.
He directed the senior police officials concerned to remain vigilant in the coming 48 hours and nip in the bud any breach to law and order. The DGP directed to be in touch with the regional JACs spearheading the Samaikhyandhra agitation. Heavy bandobust was reported from all major Seemandhra universities, where police have directed students not to venture into streets.
Meanwhile, APNGO JAC and APSRTC JAC announced bandh for Friday in Tirupathi, including bus service to the Tirumala hills.