Rallies, fasts, prayers continue in Seemandhra to protest against Telangana

As the Congress leadership's announcement to grant statehood to Telangana completes one month, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions remained in

turmoil over the proposed division.

Protests continued unabated on Thursday in Seemandhra (Coastal Andhra plus Rayalaseema) against the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh.

United Andhra supporters organised protest rallies, fasts, bike rallies, community kitchens and special prayers at places of worship at several areas in the two regions.

Public transport and services in government offices have been badly hit as employees of different department have been on a strike against the division.

Leaders of pro-united Andhra employees, who are on a visit to Delhi for the last few days, have met leaders of different parties to impress upon them on the need to maintain status quo in the state.

Leaders of ruling Congress and other parties from Seemandhra regions have said, they have not given up efforts to keep the state united.

Meanwhile, a total bandh was observed in East Godavari district on Thursday in protest against disruption of a meeting of lawyers from Seemandhra in Hyderabad by pro-Telangana advocates early this week.

The coastal district also saw rallies, road blockades and formation of human chains as part of the ongoing agitation against the proposed bifurcation.

Employees, teachers, workers and students who have formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC), had given a call for bandh on August 29 and 30.

"A total bandh was observed in the district. All commercial establishments, government offices, financial centres, educational institutes, petrol outlets and private institutes remained closed," JAC leader A Ramanaidu said.

Besides rallies and protest marches, relay fasts by lawyers and teachers, among others continued in different parts of the district.