Superintendent of Police, Guntur Urban, Ake Ravikrishna on Wednesday night launched a new initiative aimed at bridging differences among various groups in sensitive villages ahead of the by-poll in the Prathipadu constituency.
The programme, christened as ‘Palle Nidra,' is also aimed at making a direct contact with the people, dissuade them from involving in poll related offences and instil faith in the democratic systems of the country.
Mr. Ravikrishna along with Additional Superintendent of Police, D. Koteswara Rao and other DSPs were present at a meeting in the village centre. Later, the SP walked on the main road, interacting with women and youth and later slept at a school.
The village of Mutluru in Vatticherukuru mandal was once known for faction violence and witnessed sporadic clashes between the two dominant communities, Telaga and Kamma.
In the year 1983, the village witnessed the gory spectacle of a series of murders which later escalated into a full blown faction violence which have been exploited by political parties.
Though there has been no history of violence in the recent years, an incident in January this year, when a mob threw eggs at Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy brought the focus back on the village.
Addressing the people, Mr. Ravikrishna pointed out that election related offences would be dealt with severely and could haunt the people involved throughout their lives. He also appealed to the people to stay away from violence and faction-related issues.
Urging the youth not to get carried away by raw emotions, he warned that a single case against them would spell doom for their future and bring trouble for the entire family.
He also appealed to the people to exercise their right to vote without any fear and not be influenced by money.
The S.P added similar programmes would be held in 145 villages in the Prathipadu constituency.
