Police detain suspects after Kadapa clashes over junction renaming; section 144 remains in force

Andhra Pradesh police detained a few persons allegedly involved in the agitation and stone pelting in this district over the naming of a traffic junction, while section 144 remains in force and intensifying security measures to prevent any disturbance to law and order, said a senior police official on Sunday.

Andhra Pradesh police detained a few persons allegedly involved in the agitation and stone pelting in this district over the naming of a traffic junction, while section 144 remains in force and intensifying security measures to prevent any disturbance to law and order, said a senior police official on Sunday. According to Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen, tension between the two groups escalated into stone pelting and agitation on Saturday, during which some police personnel sustained injuries, following which police resorted to lathi charge and other security measures to disperse the crowd. Praveen, along with Superintendent of Police (SP) Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath, inspected Almaspet traffic circle in Kadapa town following Saturday's clashes and reviewed the prevailing situation in the area. ''Some persons involved in the agitation and stone pelting at Almaspet junction have been detained, and a few others are on the run, while Section 144 has been imposed and security strengthened to ensure there is no disturbance to law and order,'' Praveen told PTI. He said some persons allegedly involved in the violence had been taken into custody while search operations were underway to trace others who were absconding. According to Praveen, members of one community wanted the junction to be named after Tipu Sultan, while another section sought to name it after Lord Hanuman, triggering unrest in the area. The DIG further said that the district police conducted a flag march under the leadership of the SP in the sensitive area to maintain peace and reassure the public. Praveen observed that India has a unique history and respects all religions equally, noting that religious beliefs of every community should be treated with equal importance. He said it was the responsibility of the police and revenue administration to maintain a balance between communities and resolve issues concerning religious beliefs harmoniously. ''In a democracy, everyone should follow a path acceptable to all and the attitude of 'my way is the highway' is not acceptable,'' the DIG remarked. He said that both groups involved in the dispute would be counselled and assured that communal harmony would be protected in the district. The DIG said Section 144 remained in force in the area and warned that rallies and gatherings of more than four persons were prohibited under the restrictions. He noted that police were empowered to disperse unlawful gatherings and advised people not to act in a manner that could hurt the religious sentiments of others. The DIG said security arrangements had been strengthened in and around Almaspet to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. According to police, this dispute has been intermittently recurring for the past 12 years. Kadapa District Collector Sridhar Cherukuri and Vishwanath, in a joint press conference on Saturday, termed the clashes unfortunate and said anti-social and malicious elements allegedly attempted to disturb communal harmony in the town. They also cautioned against the circulation of false propaganda on social media, noting that misinformation was creating fear among people and provoking the public. The officials stressed that social media should spread facts instead of inciting tension and added that strict surveillance would be maintained over online platforms. The district administration observed that the emergence of a conflict atmosphere over small, sensitive issues hurting religious sentiments was affecting the peaceful image of Kadapa town. They further said that the district administration and police machinery were taking all necessary measures to ensure there is no disturbance to peace among people in the district and the city and to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. Meanwhile, police have registered cases under relevant sections of law in connection with the clashes.