Anti-Telangana protests go on in AP for the 7th day

Anti-Telangana protests continued in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh for the seventh consecutive day today even as mild tension prevailed at two government offices here over the separate Telangana statehood issue.

Supporters of "united" Andhra Pradesh, including students and members of different organisations took to the streets, continuing with protests, rallies as well as road blockades, besides organising other agitations in 'Seemandhra' (comprising both Rayalaseema as well as non-Telangana) districts and Hyderabad.

"Protests, rallies as well as demonstrations are on, but the situation is under control and peaceful," IGP (Law and Order) Harish Kumar Gupta told PTI.

Timely intervention by the police prevented a possible clash between employees from Seemandhra region and employees from Telangana region at Jala Soudha and Vidyuth Soudha here.

Mild tension prevailed at Jala Soudha in Erramanzil area when Seemandhra region employees held a protest for a "united" Andhra Pradesh, even as pro-Telangana employees began a counter protest.

Both sides raised slogans in favour and against the move to create a Telangana state and were seen jostling each other after heated arguments.

However, the police immediately intervened and dispersed both groups who almost came to blows, without having to take anybody into custody, a police officer said.

Similarly, the police immediately intervened and managed to bring the situation under control when pro-Telangana employees raised slogans after a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader P Keshav reached the Vidyuth Soudha to express his solidarity with pro-Seemandhra employees who were staging their own anti-Telangana protest.