Tension grips Tadipatri

Anantapur: Tense situation prevailed on Tuesday at Tadipatri, following protests by the Telugu Desam activists, against a case registered against MLA, J.C.  Prabhakar Reddy, for threatening and abusing State Bank of India officials over sanitation at ATM counter. All the business establishments remained closed after large number of police forces, including teargas force deployed at the State Bank of India and other sensitive parts of Tadipatri town in the district, since Monday night.

It may be noticed that Tadipathri town police had registered a case against the local legislator, J.C. Prabhakar Reddy, who had reportedly locked the ATM counter at the main branch for poor maintenance of sanitation wh-ere the receipts have been spread on the road, three days ago. Mr Prabhakar Reddy expressed anger against the bank officials, including general manager and staff, who came at his residence to get keys of the ATM counter. The SBI general manager, Manjula lodged complaint with the town police against the Legislator, J.C. Prabhakar Reddy, for threatening and abusing them.

Tadiptri town police registered a case under sections 506 and 353, based on the general manager’s complaint on Monday night. With the news spreading widely, angry Telugu Desam cadres gathered at the MLA’s residence and took out procession towards SBI branch at Tadipatri. The additional forces were led by ASPs Malyadri and two sub divisional police officials posted at bank premises. A large number of Telugu Desam cadres, led by Tadipatri municipal chairperson, K. Venkata Lakshmi, and other leaders from all parts of constituency gathered at main road near SBI branch. Even as police tried to convince the agitators to withdraw protest, the TD leaders stuck on their demand to write off case against their party MLA, Prabhakar Reddy, shouting slogans against the bankers and police. However, the bank general manager, Majula, had given a letter withdrawing her complaint and the activists have put off the agitation.