Violent protests erupted in Andhra Pradesh’s Amalapuram on Tuesday as angry protesters clashed with the police demanding not to change the name of Konaseema district and set the house of Transport Minister P Vishwaroop on fire.
Tension escalated in the area when members of the Konaseema District Sadhana Samiti gathered at the Clock Tower Center to protest.
According to the information received, soon the situation got worse when the protesters allegedly pelted stones at policemen and damaged public properties. When the situation got out of control with the police, the police resorted to lathi-charge in retaliation.
It is learned that the protesters also attacked the police jeep and pelted stones at Amalapuram Hospital. In the clash where several policemen and protesters were injured. On the other hand, SP Subbareddy narrowly escaped from stone pelting. However, according to police sources, some of the detained protesters escaped from the police and ran towards the collectorate. They also torched a bus in the premises and vandalized another bus.
The protesters then targeted Transport Minister P Vishwaroop’s house and set it on fire. Noticing that the situation got out of control. The police swung into action and rescued the minister and his family members. The protesters also attacked the minister’s camp office in Amalapuram. They ransacked the office and set the minister’s escort vehicle on fire.
While Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in Amalapuram.
Also 500 policemen have been summoned.
It is being reported that police vehicle and an educational institution’s bus were also set on fire. During this some policemen were injured too by the stones thrown by the protesters.
Home Minister Taneti Vanitha said says instead of feeling proud about inclusion of BR Ambedkar name, anti-social elements were inciting violence, even setting on fire private school bus.
“It is unfortunate that over 20 police personnel sustained injuries in the incident. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the culprits to book,” Ms Vanitha added.
It is noteworthy that last week, the state government issued a preliminary notice about renaming of Konaseema as B R Ambedkar Konaseema district.
