Banner Dispute Turns Violent in Kadapa, CI Injured
The incident occurred in Almaspet, where a place of worship is located.
Kadapa: Tension prevailed here on Friday after a dispute over banners put up for celebrations turned violent, leading to stone pelting between two groups and leaving a police officer seriously injured.
The incident occurred in Almaspet, where a place of worship is located. Ahead of the celebrations scheduled for May 10, some youths had installed banners announcing a bike rally and procession. The banners reportedly referred to the location after the place of worship, drawing objections from another group. According to locals, the other group pasted stickers over the banners, stating that the area had been officially named by the government. This triggered an argument between the two groups, escalating tensions in the locality.
Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and attempted to pacify both sides. Even as discussions were underway, youths from both groups allegedly raised slogans and began pelting stones at each other. During the violence, Kadapa Taluk circle inspector Narasimha Raju sustained a severe head injury. He was shifted to a government hospital for treatment. Several youths from both groups also suffered injuries.
Additional police forces were deployed and a lathicharge was carried out to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
Locals criticised the alleged lack of preventive security arrangements despite religious events being scheduled in the area on Sunday. “There was no preventive security. By the time police intervened, the situation had already worsened,” a local resident alleged.
The area remained under tight police security, with additional forces deployed and continuous patrolling underway. A police official said those involved in the violence would be identified through CCTV footage and strict action would be taken against them.