Hyderabad, Oct 3 (IANS): Condemning the union cabinet's decision to carve out separate Telangana state, Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) Association has called for 48-hour blockade of national highways from 6 a.m. Friday.

APNGOs, which represents striking government employees of Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra), has also called for 48-hour shutdown to protest the cabinet decision.

APNGOs president P. Ashok Babu, who is leading the protests over state's bifurcation, said they would not allow the offices of the central government to function in all 13 districts of Seemandhra.

He told reporters here that a cabinet decision can't divide a state. He appealed to people to maintain peace during the protests.

Ashok Babu said the employees would intensify their protest. He pointed out that over six lakh employees, teachers and workers of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) were on strike for nearly two months.

He said the central ministers and MPs owe an explanation to Seemandhra people as to why they failed to prevent cabinet decision.