One person died and four received grievous injuries when violence erupted again at Chinna Palamada in Tadipatri on Sunday.
In critical condition
A follower of Anantapur MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy, identified as Fakeerappa, 55, died while being treated for injuries during a clash on Sunday at the Prabhodananda Swamy Ashram.
Three persons were being treated for injuries, while 11 received minor injuries.
The condition of Venkataramana, who went into coma, was stated to be critical
Following incidents of violence on Saturday in which 15 persons were injured and some vehicles were burnt, the Anantapur MP visited the Chinna Palamada area to elicit the facts about Saturday’s incidents.
During his visit on Sunday, his followers and the Ashram inmates clashed leading to a repeat of Saturday and more than 10 vehicles were torched inflicting injuries on 15 persons.
The MP sat on a dharna in front of the Tadipatri police station decrying the alleged inaction of the police force during the Ganesh immersion procession and his visit to Palamada on Sunday.
Forces mobilised
Police force was requisitioned from the Kadapa and Chittoor districts too to bring the situation under control and the Chittoor SP Rajasekhar Babu also appealed to Mr. Diwakar Reddy to end the dharna.
The MP, however, refused to end the agitation till the ashram was vacated.
Anantapur SP GVG Ashok Kumar led a team and deployed police force to bring the situation under control, said Tadipatri Dy. SP Vijay Kumar.
Taking exception to the alleged police inaction, Mr. Diwakar Reddy said if the MP did not have protection, how could the police assure protection to the commonman.
The Ganesh procession, which clashed with a massive function organised by Sri Krishna followers at the Ashram, on Saturday led to violence originally.
