Poll violence in Kyathanpally: Convoys of minister Venkataswamy, MP Vamsi Krishna attacked, cop hurt

Mancherial: The election for the chairperson and deputy chairperson of Kyathanpally Municipality descended into chaos on Tuesday as supporters of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) allegedly pelted stones at the convoys of State Labour Minister G Vivek Venkataswamy and Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna.

The confrontation resulted in significant damage to the leaders’ vehicles and left a police constable and two others injured.

Standoff between cadre and lathicharge

The violence was triggered when police authorities restricted BRS MLA Kova Lakshmi and former MLA Balka Suman from entering the municipal council hall. This sparked a heated standoff between BRS and Congress party workers.

As the situation spiralled, police were forced to initiate a lathicharge to disperse the clashing crowds. The BRS cadres, reportedly enraged by the police intervention, targeted the arriving convoy of Minister Vivek and MP Vamsi, who were present to cast their votes as ex-officio members.

Videos from the scene, which have since gone viral on social media, appear to show BRS leader Balka Suman at the centre of the unrest. Reports and video footage show that the crowd was provoked and an FIR has been registered at the local police station.

More details are awaited.

It is alleged that the former MLA Balka Suman hit the police barricade towards the minister’s vehicle.

Security measures

Minister Vivek Venkataswamy and MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna's security has been tightened. The local police have registered cases against the local leaders for inciting violence.

Security has also been tightened in the Kyanthanpally and Mancherail regions to prevent further retaliatory violence between Congress and BRS cadres.