Considering the gravity of the situation, the Chief Minister declared that a dedicated task force shall be deployed to protect the industries and workers here. He said the government would take all possible steps to protect industries especially the information technology and pharma sectors.

Shutdown paralyzes Telangana

Today's shutdown called by the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC), has affected the work in IT/ITeS and pharma companies in this technology hub. Some IT companies made arrangements for the accommodation of their employees in hotels near their offices to ensure uninterrupted work while others declared a holiday as a precautionary measure, according to IANS.

Police imposed prohibitory orders in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. Additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed in Cyberabad, the IT district housing IT giants like Microsoft, Google and Mahindra Satyam.

Police have also made tight security arrangements in areas inhabited by people from Andhra region in view of the recent attacks on film shootings.

As many as 40 companies of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in Telangana, including 15 in Hyderabad. Additional police forces from neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were also deployed.

The shutdown has been called by JAC to demand the central government immediately initiate the process for formation of Telangana state.

There is also fear that the Telangana agitation may lead to loss of jobs in the IT sector as the stir has affected productivity. If the stir continues, there is the possibility of many IT players shifting their base to places like Bangalore.

“Any investor/client will look for Hyderabad only if there is a possibility of workflow round the clock. We can't lose any more working hours as some may look to competing centres for businesses,”' a media report quoted M Narasimha Rao, Centre Head, Infosys Hyderabad and President of Hyderabad Software Exporters Association, as saying.

CII to shift summit venue

The state is also worried about the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) plan to shift its mega investment meet - Partnership Summit - to Chennai from Hyderabad. CII is scheduled to hold the summit from January 21 to 22. However, with the Telangana agitation disrupting schedules, it is now keen on taking the event to Chennai.

However, Rosaiah sought the Centre's help to convince the organizers not to move the event from Hyderabad. The chief minister has requested all the political parties not to harm the state’s image as industrial hub and investment destination.

It is also being reported that FICCI has also decided to shift the venue of a major event from Hyderabad to Chennai.

Meanwhile, the US government has issued a fresh travel alert asking its citizens to be cautious and defer their travel to Andhra Pradesh as violence continues there over the issue of a separate Telangana state.

“The US government continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India,” an IANS report quoted the US State Department as saying in its third travel alert.

“Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit,” the advisory said while alerting US citizens to continuing security concerns in India.

"In addition, there continues to be a possibility of violence in the south-central Indian state of Andhra Pradesh over the contentious issue of creating a separate state," the State Department said.