Live updates: Massive protests in Seemandhra as Telangana people celebrate

Security was strengthened around Central government installations, railway stations and offices.

Effigies of Congress president Sonia Gandhi were burnt in the district headquarters town of Ongole, where the protesters took out candlelight and silent procession denouncing the bifurcation.

A senior police officer from Eluru range said, "Police are on full alert. Pickets have been set up and patrolling has been intensified."

If the bill also gets the approval of Rajya Sabha, the Telugu-speaking people will have two states with Telangana becoming India's 29th state.

Telangana will have 10 districts including Hyderabad, which will serve as a common capital for a period not exceeding 10 years. The residuary state of Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts.

In a move to assure protection to Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad, the bill proposed that common governor of the two states will have power of maintaining law and order in the city, but ignored the demand from Seemandhra leaders that the city be declared a union territory.