Banner Dispute Turns Violent In Kadapa, CI Injured

Kadapa: Tension prevailed in Kadapa town on Friday after a dispute over banners put up ahead of ccelebrations turned violent, leading to stone pelting between two groups and leaving a police officer seriously injured.

The incident occurred in the Almaspet area, where an Anjaneya Swamy temple is located. Ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations scheduled for May 10, some youths had installed banners announcing a bike rally, kalash procession and special pujas. The banners reportedly referred to the location as “Hanuman Circle”, drawing objections from another group.

According to locals, some group of youths pasted stickers over the banners, stating that the area had already been officially named “Tippu Sultan Circle” by the government. This triggered a heated argument between the two groups, escalating tensions in the locality.

Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and attempted to pacify both sides. However, 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.

The Almaspet area soon turned chaotic, with stones and broken bricks scattered across the road. Eyewitnesses said stones were hurled in large numbers, creating panic among residents and commuters.

Additional police forces were deployed and a lathi charge 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 remains 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.