Fishermen ban entry of TDP District President into village for `hurling abuses’

Nellore: Fishermen have banned the entry of TDP District President Beeda Ravichandra into Iskapalli village for allegedly hurling abuses against the community.

Fishermen leaders have decided to slap a fine of Rs. 10,000 against those who will interact with Ravichandra. They also announced a reward of Rs 3,000 for those people who will report any such incident or the mobile conversation.

The incident occurred when Beeda Ravichandra visited Iskapalli Palem area on Tuesday for collecting water from the Bay for Abhishekam in the newly constructed Shiva temple. The event was organized by Kanchipuram Seer Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swami.

After noticing the dilapidated condition of the coast, he reportedly criticized the local community. This irked the community members who announced Durai. Durai is a kind of fine imposed on people who defy the village diktat.

Fishermen inhabited villages have traditionally been the stronghold of the TDP. However, around 20 people joined the YSR Congress just before the elections.

The village Kapus, who sit in judgment as a part of village internal system, reportedly imposed huge penalties of Rs. 60,000-70,000 on each member for shifting loyalties to the YSR Congress.

Ravichandra's comments have now given a handle to the people against Kapus. Supported by the ruling party leaders, the villagers who were penalized for shifting loyalties, criticized the comments of the TDP leader.

Sensing trouble, village elders finally announced Durai asking the community members not to allow Ravichandra into the village.