High security for Hyderabad rally

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Thousands of police have been deployed in Hyderabad, southern India, ahead of rallies seeking a separate state in part of Andhra Pradesh state.

Students who demand separate status for the Telangana region have threatened to storm the Andhra Pradesh assembly.

Tens of thousands of protesters are due to take part. A protest fast by a leading politician is in its 11th day.

The demand for a separate state for the underdeveloped and drought-prone Telengana region dates back 50 years.

The region is spread over 10 northern districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Separatists say that economic development in their region has been neglected in favour of the richer and more powerful Andhra region.

Clashes

K Chandrasekara Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) is refusing to break his fast to the death unless the government of India announces the formation of Telangana state.

Mr Rao has been on a fast for the past 11 days

Doctors said on Wednesday night that Mr Rao, 55, had lost considerable weight.

Mr Rao, a diabetic, has developed several other complications and is refusing to take saline, antibiotic and other supportive therapy, the doctors said. He has also refused to give blood for tests.

Hyderabad, the state capital of Andhra Pradesh with a population of some eight million people, has been turned into a fortress.

About 18,000 police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the city. All entry points to the city and roads leading to the assembly have been sealed.

There were clashes on Wednesday when police forcibly removed students from Osmania University campus.

Political parties in the state have appealed to Mr Rao to end his fast.

All parties except Congress support the demand for a Telangana state.

Andhra Pradesh's Congress government has said the party's central leadership will have to make the final call.