**The Indian government has decided to set up a committee to look into demands for the formation of a new southern state of Telangana.**The committee is headed by an ex-chief justice of the Supreme Court of India.
Violent protests have taken place in Andhra Pradesh from which the new state is proposed to be carved out.
In December, the Indian government said that Telangana would be carved out of northern districts of Andhra Pradesh, but later said more talks were needed.
Last month, a meeting of different political parties to discuss the issue failed to arrive at a consensus.
Correspondents say there are deep divisions within political parties over the Telangana issue.
In December, India’s Congress party-led government announced it would allow the creation of the new state irrespective of opposition.
Congress is also in power in Andhra Pradesh.
The announcement prompted widespread protests in Andhra Pradesh.
Opponents of the move are unhappy about Hyderabad, which is home to many major information technology and pharmaceutical companies, becoming Telangana’s new capital.
The final decision to create a new state lies with the Indian parliament, but the state assembly must pass a resolution approving the creation of Telangana. The state legislature is sharply divided on the issue.