Kurnool: Konda Reddy Fort in Kurnool, designated a National Monument, was vandalised by fans of matinee idol turned politician Pawan Kalyan at a meeting held by the party on Sunday evening.
About one thousand people barged into the Konda Reddy Fort, scaling the walls and barricades, brandishing Jana Sena flags.
Some 200 flower pots were crushed, steel railings twisted, staircases and benches damaged causing a loss of an estimated Rs 1 lakh. A case has been filed in the Two Town police station.
The Archaeological Survey of India said the 12th century monument was in a very weak state and could cave in if subjected to such rough use.
Expressing surprise that the Konda Reddy Fort was chosen as a meeting place, an ASI official demanded to know how permission was granted for Pawan Kalyan’s meeting near the Fort.
The municipal authorities and the police both failed to assess whether it was a suitable venue.
The ASI official said that the lawns were destroyed and lights and tubes were damaged.
The fort is being managed by five regular employees who take care of its upkeep. Sensing the danger from Pawan Kalyan’s road show, ASI officials hired 10 more temporary workers to assist them in controlling the crowds.
“We were no match for them,” the ASI official said, and alleged that no policemen were around. Only two constables were to be seen lazily loitering around.
It is ironical that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan praised the importance of Konda Reddy Fort and said had it been in Greece or France, it could have become a world famous heritage structure!!.
