Around the World: India

New protests over division

Businesses and schools were shut yesterday in parts of Andhra Pradesh as part of a general strike protesting the government's plan to split up the southern Indian state.

The government said last week it would carve out a new state called Telangana from the northern portion of Andhra Pradesh. The decision sparked celebrations among supporters and protests from opponents. Twenty of the state's 34 ministers and nearly 140 of 294 lawmakers have resigned, demanding the federal government reverse its decision.