Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Zilla Parishad Centre here on Wednesday when the members of the Arya Vysya Joint Action Committee (JAC) and activists of the Bahujana JAC came face-to-face and got into a verbal duel.
The incident occurred during a rally taken out by the members of the Arya Vysya JAC as part of a bandh observed by them demanding a ban on writer and academic Kancha Ilaiah’s book on the Vysya community.
Tension broke out near the ZP Centre after a group of activists of the Bahujana JAC tried to take out a rally towards the Ambedkar statue in support of Mr. Ilaiah almost coinciding with the Arya Vysya JAC’s rally.
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Police intervene
A war of words ensued between the activists of the Bahujana JAC comprising several organisations representing weaker sections and the members of the Arya Vysya JAC.
Tension gripped the area as the members of the quarrelling groups almost came to fisticuffs. Additional police forces were rushed to the spot and dispersed the quarrelling groups.
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Barring this incident, the bandh passed off peacefully in the entire town.
Shops shut
Shops and other business establishments remained closed in the prime business localities and elsewhere in the town.
Earlier, MLA from Khammam Puvvada Ajay Kumar participated in the motorbike rally organised by the Arya Vysya JAC.
Meanwhile, in a statement Bahujana JAC convenor Bhadru Naik alleged that a TRS leader roughed up one of the members of the Bahujana JAC at the Zilla Parishad Centre when they were heading towards Ambedkar statue to stage a peaceful demonstration seeking protection of freedom of expression.