Tension gripped the town as activists of the Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress clashed on Wednesday. At least 10 persons, including four activists each of the TDP and the YSRC were injured in the clash.
Superintendent of Police P. Pramod Kumar said “'the situation is under control as three platoons of Quick Response teams were rushed to the trouble-torn town”.
Anticipating further trouble, the authorities closed down liquor shops in the town. Trouble started when an activist of the YSRC waved a party flag when supporters of TDP leader Karnam Balram Krishnamurthy came in a huge procession from Singarakonda spurred by the success of party President N.Chandrababu Naidu’s Praja Garjana meet in Ongole on Monday.
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A wordy duel led to tearing away of flexi boards by activists of both the parties in the town. Following this, the TDP activists indulged in stone throwing in-front of the YSRC office. The YSR Congress activists led by its Constituency in-charge Gottipatti Ravikumar staged a road blockade on the Addanki-Narketpalli highway demanding action the TDP activists.
The SP said “'we are identifying those involved in the clashes. They will be booked under relevant IPC sections”.
Guntur Staff Reporter adds: Sporadic incidents of violence marred New year revelry in the district. Fifteen persons were injured in clashes between rival Congress and Telugu Desam groups at Nagaravaram village in Krosuru mandal on Wednesday morning and they were being treated at Government General Hospital.
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The groups clashed over erection of banners in the village. Local Congress supporters clashed with the TDP men after objecting to erection of flex banner in the village centre on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, TDP men obstructed a group of Congressmen.
The two warring groups rained blows on each other and in the resulting melee, three bikes, three autos and a shop were set on fire.
Guntur Rural Police have set up a picket with 20 constables and have been on high alert in the village. One of injured, Pathan Yousuf Khan, who has been severely injured in the clashes, was rushed to GGH here.