Clash between two groups sparks tension in Kadapa

TIRUPATI: Stone pelting between two groups sparked off tension leading to a large mobilisation of police forces and clamping of prohibitory orders in Kadapa on Saturday.The clash and resultant stone pelting was over the alleged renaming of a traffic island in the city. A group set up a banner renaming the traffic circle after a deity. Recently, the circle was named after Tipu Sultan, who died in the battle of Mysore fighting against the British. The civic body reportedly passed a resolution recently endorsing the name of the circle.Some unidentified persons put up stickers on the banners erected by another group. As the word spread over the naming and renaming of the traffic circle, people belonging to two groups gathered in large numbers and staged protests.Though Kadapa police rushed in additional forces to the area and tried to pacify both groups, the situation got out of control as they suddenly pelted stones on each other. Several persons on either side and a few police personnel including Kadapa taluk inspector Narasimha Raju were injured. They were shifted to local hospitals.Sensing the situation could go out of control, police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the warring groups and cordoned off the circle with barricades. An additional posse of police personnel has been stationed there.Expressing concern over the clash, govt whip and Kadapa MLA Reddeppagari Madhavi Reddy urged for restraint and harmony. She warned that the govt will not spare the mischievous elements guilty of fanning violence.Kadapa district collector Sreedhar Cherukuri along with SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath inspected the area and interacted with representatives of both the groups. They later told the media that the role of some anti-social elements was suspected. “The sentiments were triggered by rumours and propaganda using the social media, sparking off clashes between two groups. We are keeping a close watch on all developments and will initiate appropriate legal action on all those involved,” the Kadapa collector said.SP Vishwanath said Section 144 has been clamped in the city and additional police forces deployed to contain the situation and restore law and order.