Title - Anti-Telangana protests enter fourth day in Seemandhra, 32 trains cancelled

Anti-Telangana protests entered their fourth day in Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh on Monday as more unions joined the stir while 32 trains were cancelled. The power shutdown also continues in 13 districts of Seemandhra, comprising coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. Normal life is

crippled as reports say ATMs are not functioning in cities while other services are also hit by the power blackout. On Sunday morning, Power Employees’ Joint Action Committee began an indefinite strike. They had announced on Saturday that 70,000 workers of transmission, generation and distribution companies would go on an indefinite stir.

Power production at the Kadapa and Vijayawada thermal units and Srisailam hydro units was also hit.

Further tripping could affect the entire southern grid, the employees said. Some media reports said even neighbouring Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala were affected.

On Sunday, protesters defied curfew and shoot-at-sight orders to clash with police and pelted stones at security forces. The troops retaliated by firing rubber bullets. Curfew was also imposed in Vizianagaram town after day-long violence on Saturday.

According to media reports, 20 policemen and 30 protesters were injured. Dozens of agitators were arrested.