Shinde invites Seemandhra agitators to participate in a healthy dialogue

Amidst ongoing protests against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde appealed to the people of Seemandhra region to create an environment for healthy dialogue process, and assured that the Government is fully committed in to address all concerns of the people over the creation of a separate Telangana state.

"Widespread agitation in Seemandhra on the decision to set up a separate state of Telangana is a matter of great concern to the Government. The Government fully respects the sentiments of the people of the regions on this sensitive issue," he said.

"I appeal to the people of Seemandhra to create an environment for a healthy dialogue process. I am confident that we can achieve an amicable solution that benefits and safeguards the interests of people of all regions of Andhra Pradesh," he added.

Shinde assured the people of Seemandhra that the Government remains fully committed in addressing all concerns, including various administrative issues.

"The Government with address concerns with respect to safeguarding the interest of people living in Telangana, concerns regarding education and employment opportunities in Hyderabad for the youth, sharing of river waters and the issue of Government employees," he said.

He also said that a group of ministers would address all these issues in a comprehensive manner and hold a detailed consultation with all stakeholders.

Shinde's comment came even as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu began his indefinite fast from today in the national capital in protest against the creation of separate Telangana state.

Simultaneously, YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's indefinite hunger strike entered the third day on Monday.

Meanwhile, the situation in curfew-bound Andhra Pradesh's Vijayanagaram district is still tense. Rapid Action and additional Para military forces have been deployed to bring back normalcy.

The normal life in 13 districts of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions has been crippled due to power shutdown. It has badly hit all major services like drinking water supply, medical services and railways.

On October 3, the Union Cabinet had decided to go ahead with the process for the creation of a separate Telangana state carved out from Andhra Pradesh.