Fresh trouble in AP town on district name

Even as normalcy was restored at Amalapuram in the aftermath of violence, fresh trouble erupted at Ravulapalem where youths in large numbers hit the road on Wednesday, opposing the move to name Konaseema district after Dr BR Ambedkar.

On the lines of the call given by the Konaseema Sadhana Samithi, youths took out the rally and organised a ‘Chalo Ravulapalem’ to express their opposition to the government decision.

A large number of police personnel were deployed at Amalapuram, even as the situation there returned to normal. Seven cases were booked and nearly 46 persons arrested in relation to the arson and violence.

On Wednesday, the supporters of the Konaseema Sadhana Samithi gathered in large number to stage the protest at Ravulapalem. Some youths were seen pelting stones at the police. Police acted swiftly and chased them for a distance. Some 54 of them were arrested and taken to the local police station.

East Godavari SP Aishwaraya said, “Section 144 is clamped on Ravulapalem but some people pelted stones at our personnel. We caught one of them. One or two stones fell near our personnel and no one was injured. We are going to deal with the rioters very sternly.”

Following Tuesday’s arson at Amalapuram, police from neighbouring districts like Kakinada and East Godavari, led by additional DGP Ravi Shankar are camping in town to ensure law and order.

Transport minister Pinepe Viswaroop whose house was torched by arsonists at Amalapuram said, “We escaped from getting killed. Had we remained at our home for a few more minutes, we would have lost our lives. The agitators did not allow fire tenders to reach our house.”

“So was the case with the wife of Mummidivaram MLA Ponnada Satishi who also had a narrow escape when their house was set on fire. Though we suspect the role of some people, the police would inquire and arrest the culprits and punish them,” he added.