Protesters set ablaze the residence of state transport minister Pinipe Vishwaroop and also that of YSR Congress party MLA Ponnada Venkata Satish as violence broke out in Amalapuram town, the district headquarters of Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district, over renaming the district after Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
Though the minister was not in town, the police shifted the family members of the minister before the protesters attacked the house. Later, the protesters went to the housing board colony in the town and attacked the house of Mummidivaram MLA Satish and set fire to his house too. Eluru range deputy inspector general of police G. Pala Raju said: “We have taken several protestors into custody. The situation is under control now.” Several police personnel and protesters were injured in a clash that took place between Konaseema Sadhana Samithi (KSS) members and the police during the “Chalo Konaseema” march held today. The Konaseema Sadhana Samithi (KSS) members protested against the proposal to rename Konaseema district as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. A police vehicle and a private bus were set on fire by the protestors following stone-pelting that targeted the police personnel. Stone pelting took place following a tense atmosphere and heated exchange of words between the police and the protesters.
Ultimately the police resorted to lathi-charge on the protesters and detained the protesters to the police station. By afternoon, the protesters attempted to proceed towards the Collectorate in Amalapuram via the Clock Tower area in the town from different directions raising slogans. However, the police prevented the entry of protesters into Amalapuram town. Later, the protesters resorted to stone-pelting, targeting the vehicles of the SP and Amalapuram DSP. DSP Y. Madhava Reddy reportedly fell unconscious during the clash. According to the police, the situation was brought under control by 5 p.m, and focus was on providing medical aid to those injured in the clash.
