CBN Vs Peddireddy in Chittoor: Clashes between YSRCP and TDP workers, 20 cops injured

Chittoor: Tension ran high in Punganur town in Chittoor district as TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu embarked on a ‘Yudha Beri’ tour, intending to spotlight the YSRCP-led government’s failures in the irrigation sector.

A clash broke out between the YSRCP and the TDP supporters while Chandrababu Naidu was travelling to the Punganur constituency to deliver a scheduled public address. The meeting was set to occur within the constituency of the state’s mines minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, uncle of chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

At least 20 cars of TDP leaders have been reportedly destroyed and 20 police officials including the DSP were injured and police vehicles were set on fire.

Local media reports indicated that the police had refused permission for the meeting. Nevertheless, Naidu and his supporters chose to proceed. As Naidu’s convoy neared the town, a clash erupted between the TDP and the YSRCP supporters. Unidentified individuals ignited a container lorry and several other vehicles on the main Bhimaganipalli highway.

These vehicles were allegedly positioned by the police to block Naidu’s entry into Punganur town.

In the midst of the altercation, the police fired tear gas to stop the conflict from escalating. Naidu’s NSG Z category commandos shielded him from the stone pelting.

Naidu condemns police inaction

Nara Chandrababu Naidu strongly condemned the violent attacks, alleging the YSRCP leader’s involvement led to the conflict and destruction. He said that he would halt the atrocities committed by the ruling party leaders, once he come to power.

He asserted that true peace could prevail in the state only through the imprisonment of such individuals. He warned the YSRCP leader that, “If you come with a stick, we will confront you with several more.”

Addressing those involved in acts of violence, he asked: “How could YSRCP workers have the audacity to brandish black flags at his meeting?” He stated that no force on Earth could intimidate him. “Every drop of blood split by my activists is my blood. Why are you resorting to such violence? What mistake we have committed?” Naidu asked.

Furthermore, he criticised Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and the local police for their inaction. He challenged the local YSRCP leaders to stand before him without police support. Taking a dig at local police, Naidu said that the police in the region should remove their uniforms and come as YSRCP activists.

In a press release, the SP of Chittoor, Rishanth Reddy, blamed Chandrababu Naidu for the violence. He stated that the TDP leaders have indulged in stone pelting where more than 20 police personnel, including the DSP, were assaulted.

'Naidu’s comments started controversy'

The initial reports suggested that the reason for the altercation is because of a derogatory statement made by Chandrababu Naidu while addressing a rally in Mulakalacheruvu of Annamaya district, on Friday morning.

He made scathing statements against Thamballepalli MLA, calling him ‘Ravana’. Angered by the remarks, while CBN was on his way to the public meeting, YSRCP workers blocked the roads. This led to TDP workers pelting stones at YSRCP cadres. In the process, many YSRCP and TDP cadres sustained injuries. The police resorted to lathi charge and dispersed the crowd. On reaching the public meeting site, Naidu again instigated the TDP cadres to attack the YSRCP workers and the police. He even insulted the DSP by making derogatory statements against him, said SP in the statement.