Vijayawada: Citizens of Amaravati organised protests in various areas of the city on Sunday to mark 600th day of Amaravati-as-capital movement.
Supporters of three capitals too had called for a rally to counter a bike procession announced by Amaravati Joint Action Committee. Police refused permission to both these programmes citing Coronavirus pandemic.
When Amaravati supporters insisted on taking out their rally, police intervened, which led to scuffles in several areas.
Pro-Amaravati supporters, including women, tried to go to the High Court for staging their protests. They forcibly crossed barricades at Mandadam. Police intervention led to a commotion in which, Amaravati JAC leaders allege, the leg of Rajendra, a farmer, got fractured.
However, some protesters managed to reach the High Court but police foiled their attempt here too and arrested several people.
Amaravati supporters succeeded in holding protests at Venkatapalem, Thullur, Velagapudi and other areas. Some protestors tried to enter Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Mangalagiri. Police prevented them and arrested one activist, who managed to enter the temple.
At some places, supporters of three capitals also managed to hold counter protests. They demanded that the government immediately implement its decision to have executive, judicial and legislative capitals at Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and Amaravati respectively for development of all regions within the State.
