India's Hyderabad city simmers as protests mount for separate state

New Delhi - Tension mounted in India's southern city of Hyderabad Wednesday as students clashed with police over demands for a separate state, news reports said. The police arrested at least 100 students and teachers of Osmania University, which has become the epicenter of the campaign for a separate Telangana state carved out of the state of Andhra Pradesh, NDTV news channel reported.

The students, who were trying to hold a rally on the campus, were charged with violating orders banning gatherings and rallies the Telangana region.

The region covers 10 districts of Andhra Pradesh is largely populated by people speaking the Telugu language.

The movement for a separate Telangana state dates back over 50 years. Supporters say the region has been neglected compared to other parts of Andhra Pradesh and this can be remedied only through the formation of a separate state.

Students prevented from holding a rally at the Osmania University campus threw stones at the police. More than 20 vehicles were damaged in the ensuing clash, NDTV reported.

The government has deployed more than 12,000 policemen to the university campus.

The Andhra Pradesh state legislative assembly adjourned amid angry scenes a second day as members of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) demanded a resolution supporting a separate state.

Police was deployed across the city amid concerns that a deterioration in the health of TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been on a hunger strike since November 29, may lead to violent protests.

A bulletin issued by the medical institute in Hyderabad were the 55-year-old was being treated said Rao was conscious but weak and should resume eating as his health condition was deteriorating.

Rao has said he would stop fasting only if the government gave a categorical assurance on formation of a Telengana state.

Most political parties have come round to supporting the cause of a separate Telangana state but their are divisions within the ruling Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh.

A key issue of contention is Andhra Pradesh capital Hyderabad, a growing center for information technology businesses, which the Telangana activists claim should be part of the new state.

Congress Party leader and federal Minister for Law and JustiCe Veerappa Moily told reporters in New Delhi: "It is a sensitive issue and no decision can be taken in haste."