Telugu Desam, YSRC cadres fight pitched battles

Anantapur: Anantapur turned into a war zone on Sunday with protests by TD against YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and counter-protests by YSRC cadres.

Both groups fought near Sreekantam circle prior to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit. YSRC activist, K. Chandramohan Reddy of Kattakindapalli was injured in clashes with TD activists near Sreekantam circle.

There was tension when a group of TD men led by Chandra Dandu activists tried to prevent YSRC cadres from staging a dharna to protest the attack on party activists during Rythu Bharosa Yatra in the district.

Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was to participate in the dharna on Sunday evening.
Police lathi charged both the groups and brought the situation under control.
Police issued permission for the YSRC protest and diverted traffic at Sapthagiri circle, SP Camp office area and Ramanagar.

At Kadiri, some TD activists threw slippers at Mr Reddy’s convoy near the residence of TD in-charge  K, Venkata prasad. The YSRC leader was there as part of the Rythu Bharosa Yatra on its fifth day. Police caned the protesters to drive them away.

Police said Kadiri DSP  Venkata Ramanjineyulu requested the YSRC president to take another route as they feared that there would be trouble. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy refused. TD protesters were herded  inside Mr Prasad’s house till the convoy passed the area.

However, a group of  YSRC activists shouted slogans near the house and a group  of TD men threw slippers at the convoy.