Tension prevailed in villages affected by Mallannasagar reservoir, proposed as part of the Kaleshwaram project, for over six hours on Sunday with the people facing threat of displacement getting ready to stage a road blockade on Rajiv Rahadari and the police firing into air to disperse the protesters.
Several persons were reportedly injured while escaping from the police.
On Sunday morning land oustees of Vemulaghat in Toguta mandal proceeded towards Rajiv Rahadari to stage a road blockade. On getting information about this, police personnel from various stations rushed to the Pallepahad chowrasta (crossroads) and tried to obstruct them.
As the villagers were not prepared to retreat and continued their march, the police resorted to lathi-charge, in which about 20 persons, including women were injured.
The Opposition Congress, Telugu Desam, CPI(M) and BJP called for district bandh on Monday.
