Unnerved by protests, Andhra CM appeals for calm

In view of the resignation of a large number of legislators protesting against the division of the state and continuing protests over the issue, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Friday appealed for peace and sought the cooperation of all parties to solve the crisis.

Observing that an unexpected turn of events has taken place after the Centre's decision to initiate the process for the formation of a separate Telangana, Rosaiah said all parties should strive to sort out the issue.

"We are getting reports that students and others in the coastal Andhra region are agitating. The police has entered the Andhra University in Visakhapatnam and is trying to maintain law and order," he said.

"We should together make an appeal to the people to observe restraint. We should all strive for peace," the chief minister said.

On the Centre's decision to grant statehood to Telangana, he said he had expressed his views and apprehensions to the central leaders.

Rosaiah said the police was trying to maintain law and order in the wake of protests in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.