`Capital war': Police foil protest rallies in Amaravati; farmers, Dalits fume

A rally was planned by JAC from Mangalagiri temple to Andhra Pradesh High Court to mark the 600th day of protest for single capital. Protestors have been demanding that Amaravati should be made the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.

A large number of cops were deployed to foil the rally. The situation turned volatile when Dalit organizations, which have been demanding three capital cities, attempted to take out a counter-rally.

However, police refused permission for both the rallies and warned of severe consequences if anyone violates the orders

Police barricaded all the routes in Thullur Mandal and did not allow outsiders to enter the region.

As a preventive measure, police arrested some TDP leaders and activists in Guntur, Tenali, Mangalagiri, and Vijayawada.

Despite the police clampdown, Amaravati JAC went ahead with a rally from different villages in Thullur Mandal.

Farmer groups of Amaravati backed by TDP, Janasena, CPI, CPM, and few others confronted the police and proceeded towards the High Court. They raised slogans against the YSRC government. Police, however, prevented farmers from marching from Venkatapalem.

Dalit and women activists at Mandadam village questioned the authority of police for preventing them to hold a peaceful march. Some women exchanged heated words with the cops.

They accused Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for turning a dream capital city into the desert.

TDP leaders Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, K Narayana Rao, and others were placed under house arrest. TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh criticized the state government for using a huge police force to curb down the protests of the farmers.