Expressing concern over protests in Seemandhra against Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday assured all regions of the state of an amicable solution that safeguards the interests of all.

"We are confident of achieving an amicable solution that gives safeguards to people of all regions in the state," he told PTI here after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whom he briefed about the situation in Seemandhra witnessing anti-Telangana protests.

Shinde's statement came close on the heels of five Union Ministers of Seemandhra region meeting the Prime Minister requesting him to accept their resignations over the issue of creation of Telangana.

Noting that the widespread agitation in Seemandhra protesting against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a matter of grave concern to the Centre, he said "the government of India fully respects the sentiments of the people of the region on this sensitive issue".

"I would like to assure the people of Seemandhra that the government of India remains fully committed to addressing all their concerns, particularly with respect to safeguarding the interests of people living in Telengana, the concerns with regard to education and employment and opportunities in Hyderabad for the youth, sharing of river waters and issue of government employees," he said.

The Home Minister said the Group of Ministers, set up to go into the details of the new state formation, will address all these and other issues in a comprehensive manner and will hold detailed consultations with all stakeholders.

"I appeal to the people of Seemandhra to create an environment for a healthy dialogue process. I am confident that we can achieve an amicable solution that benefits and safeguards the interests of people of all the regions of Andhra Pradesh," he said.

Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh continue to simmer with protests against the proposed bifurcation of the state as curfew remained in place in restive Vizianagaram town and large areas plunged into darkness with electricity employees on strike in protests against the Union Cabinet's October 3 decision to carve out a new state of Telangana.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu today started an indefinite fast here while the one by YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh entered its third day against bifurcation of the state.