Visakhapatnam: As soon as the news leaked to the media that the Railway zone which is in the list of special package is going to Vijayawada, protests flared up in North Andhra districts. Leaders irrespective of political parties staged demonstration demanding the railway zone be announced headquartering Visakhapatnam.

On Thursday, Anakapalli MP Avanthi Srinivas launched an indefinite-hunger strike along with his supporters in Vizag. Speaking to media persons, Avanthi Srinivas said that the people of North Andhra had waited patiently for two and half years.

He also said that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu too said the same thing by urging the people to maintain restraint since the State is in deep trouble after bifurcation. “I told my people that I will not ask for a vote if railway zone is not announced to North Andhra, Visakhapatnam as its headquarters,” the MP said.

On Wednesday, BJP leader Daggubati Purandeshwari too aired the views of the Centre by saying she would try to bring the railway zone to Visakhapatnam.

The TDP MP urged the leaders not to play with the sentiments of the people by shifting the railway zone to Vijayawada.