Coastal Andhra, Rayalseema continue protests against bifurcation

Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions continued to simmer over the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh as supporters of united Andhra Pradesh organised massive protests across the two regions.

On the 23rd day after the Congress announced its decision in favour of a separate Telangana, the agitators organised a huge congregation of students and other sections of the society in the Rayalaseema town of Kurnool.

Named laksha gala ghosha (cry of one lakh voices), the rally saw an impressive turnout of united Andhra supporters.

The pro-united Andhra employees of the Secretariat in Hyderabad, who announced their decision to go on strike from September 2, organised blood donations as a form of protest.

Academic activity in schools was disrupted as teachers began their strike from today in support of Samaikyandhra (united Andhra), reports from Seemandhra districts said.

The pro-unity employees of various state government departments had begun a strike from August 12.

The students' Joint Action Committee in Visakhapatnam said they would organise jala deeksha (water satyagraha) at the Bay of Bengal in the port city in the coastal region.

They demanded that the Union ministers from Rayalseema and Coastal Andhra resign from their posts to put pressure on the Congress leadership.

They also announced plans to organise protests at the offices of the central government and in Hyderabad for the protection of Seemandhra employees in the Andhra Pradesh capital.

The advocates launched a 48-hour hunger strike outside the court compound in Anantapur.