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India state: Telangana protests trigger power cuts India state: Telangana protests trigger power cuts
(about 5 hours later)
Power cuts have crippled life in parts of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh after protests against the formation of the new state of Telangana. Power cuts have crippled life in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh after protests against the formation of the new state of Telangana.
Thousands of power workers are on strike to protest against the decision. More than 30,000 power workers are on strike to protest against the decision.
Meanwhile, the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, has begun a protest fast against the state's division.
Telangana would comprise 10 districts of the southern state, including the city of Hyderabad.Telangana would comprise 10 districts of the southern state, including the city of Hyderabad.
In recent years, there have been protests for and against the creation of India's 29th state.In recent years, there have been protests for and against the creation of India's 29th state.
Backers of the new state say the area has been neglected by the government.Backers of the new state say the area has been neglected by the government.
Opponents are unhappy that Hyderabad, home to many major information technology and pharmaceutical companies, would become a shared state capital.Opponents are unhappy that Hyderabad, home to many major information technology and pharmaceutical companies, would become a shared state capital.
Power plants hitPower plants hit
Fresh protests began after India's cabinet approved the setting up of the new state at a meeting on Thursday evening. Power generation in Andhra Pradesh has been reduced by 4000MW as several thermal and hydel power generating plants have stopped working.
Life in at least 13 districts has been badly hit with power cuts closing cash machines, petrol pumps and cable TV services.
Nearly 50 train services have been cancelled or curtailed. Visakhapatnam airport and several major hospitals across the state have also been affected.
Unscheduled power cuts have started in the state capital and India's sixth biggest city, Hyderabad.
The power supply to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu has also been affected.
Power sector workers say their strike will continue until the decision to divide Andhra Pradesh is withdrawn.
India's cabinet approved the setting up of the new state at a meeting on Thursday evening.
Soon after the announcement, those against the decision staged rallies, held protests and called a 48-hour strike in parts of the state that shut down schools, colleges, public transport and businesses.Soon after the announcement, those against the decision staged rallies, held protests and called a 48-hour strike in parts of the state that shut down schools, colleges, public transport and businesses.
Four federal ministers belonging to the state also offered to resign in protest. Four federal ministers from Andhra Pradesh also offered their resignations - but they were not accepted.
Things worsened on Sunday when several thousand power workers in 13 districts, where a large number of people have protested against the decision, went on strike. Meanwhile, violent protests have been reported from the town of Vijayanagaram, where a curfew was imposed on Saturday.
Officials said two major thermal power stations in the region were affected by the strike. Telangana, with a population of 35 million, comprises 10 of Andhra Pradesh's 23 districts. Hyderabad will be included in the new state, although for the first 10 years it will serve as the joint capital of the two states.
Power cuts closed cash machines, petrol pumps, cable TV services and led to the cancellation of several trains.
"Our intention is not to interrupt power supply, but we want to save our Andhra Pradesh. And this is the only way we have," a striking power worker opposed to the division of the state told the NDTV news channel.
Violent protests have been reported from the town of Vizianagaram, where a curfew was imposed on Sunday.
Telangana, with a population of 35 million, comprises 10 of Andhra Pradesh's 23 districts.
The state capital and India's sixth biggest city, Hyderabad, will be included in the new state, although for the first 10 years it will serve as the joint capital of the two states.
The final decision on a new state lies with the Indian parliament. The state assembly must also pass a resolution approving the creation of the new state.The final decision on a new state lies with the Indian parliament. The state assembly must also pass a resolution approving the creation of the new state.
Correspondents say the timing of the announcement is linked to general elections due early next year. Recent opinion polls have shown that the Congress party is struggling in the state, which has 42 parliamentary seats.Correspondents say the timing of the announcement is linked to general elections due early next year. Recent opinion polls have shown that the Congress party is struggling in the state, which has 42 parliamentary seats.
The move to create Telangana has sparked similar demands in the states of West Bengal and Assam.The move to create Telangana has sparked similar demands in the states of West Bengal and Assam.