Punganur turns battlefield with YSRCP, TDP clashes amid Naidu's tour, 20 cops injured

CHITTOOR: The Punganur constituency in Chittoor district has turned into a battlefield with clashes between YSRCP and TDP and with police resorting to lathi charge and opening tear gas.

Chandrababu Naidu was visiting Punganur constituency represented by Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, as part of his Rayalaseema tour to inspect the irrigation projects. However, his entry sparked protests from the YSRCP ranks, leading to escalating of tensions. The TDP cadre also resisted, resulting in a tense situation.

The clashes between the two groups involved pelting of stones and the setting of vehicles on fire. In order to disperse the crowds and to calm down the situation, the police resorted to a lathi charge and used tear gas. The current situation in Punganur remains highly tense with several people, including 20 policemen, being injured in the clashes. A Circle Inspector, a sub-inspector and many other policemen were among those who suffered bleeding injuries.

While the TDP alleged that Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy was the one behind the riots, the YSRCP accused Chandrababu of conspiring to create law and order issues with his tour. Meanwhile, the TDP leader Varla Ramaiah wrote a letter to DGP on the violence.