Telangana: Andhra govt told to brace for protests

Fearing street protests in Andhra Pradesh irrespective of which way the decision on Telangana goes, home secretary RK Singh on Thursday directed the Andhra Pradesh government to review preparedness to handle the consequent law and order issues.

Fearing street protests in Andhra Pradesh irrespective of which way the decision on Telangana goes, home secretary RK Singh on Thursday directed the Andhra Pradesh government to review preparedness to handle the consequent law and order issues.

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Singh also promised to send in additional central forces, if required, to handle the situation once the state makes a firm assessment of the situation.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of political groups on both sides — those in favour of carving out Telangana and those against — threatening to hit the streets in case their viewpoints are not accepted.

Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had last month promised that the Centre will take a call on the demand for Telangana by this month-end, prompting political groups in favour of a united Andhra to up the ante too. On Thursday, 68 elected representatives, including 17 state ministers, passed a resolution advising the Centre to maintain status quo. “There would be massive unrest if the demand is conceded,” said school education minister S Sailajanath.