Tensions in Tiruvuru as TDP, YSRC Workers Clash

Vijayawada: Tension prevailed for a while in Tiruvuru after Tiruvuru MLA Kolikapudi Srinivas Rao reached Bose Bomma Centre at 10 am on Saturday, following his challenge to a vernacular media house and YSRC leaders for an open debate on the illegal sand and gravel mining that has occurred in the constituency over the last five years.

Tension escalated as YSRC leaders, including the Tiruvuru municipal chairman, councillors and party cadre accepted the MLA’s challenge and tried to proceed to Bose Bomma Centre at the same time on Saturday. However, the police prevented the YSRC leaders, took them into custody, and shifted them to the police station to avoid untoward incidents.

Speaking to reporters, the YSRC leaders alleged that it was the MLA Srinivas Rao who illegally mined sand and stored it near his house and also at a private layout, which is still there today. “The media unearthed and published Kolikapudi’s illegal sand mining activities, which he has been conducting without obtaining any permission from authorities in the constituency,” the YSRC leaders said.

“Why did the MLA seize the sand and gravel that were illegally mined in the past but let go of those currently being mined without any permission from authorities and being done only with his consent?” the YSRC leaders questioned.