Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Three hurt in police firing in Peapuly

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL Sept. 2. Violence erupted once again at Peapuly in Kurnool district on Tuesday where trouble started over immersion of Ganesh idol yesterday. Three persons sustained bullet injuries as the police opened fire today to control violence. Three constables also received injuries in stone throwing.

The violent mob indulged in arson and looting and attacked police parties with stones. Two shops were set on fire, one shop was looted and three kiosks, all belonging to Scheduled Caste families, were damaged. An SC house which was close to the main town was also attacked. The police fired over 70 rounds and dispersed the mob.

The Superintendent of Police, N. Sanjay, who was camping along with the Collector, Ajay Jain, and the DIG of Police, Satyanarayan, at Peapuly said curfew was clamped in certain sensitive areas of the town while prohibitory orders under section 144 of Cr. P.C. were in force in the remaining areas.

The trouble started yesterday when the upper caste people reportedly objected to a procession being taken out by the SCs through their locality. Roads in the upper caste localities were blocked and violence started when the police tried to remove the obstacles.

The mob damaged the idol leading to tension. The police secured another idol and proposed to escort the procession today. The promise had further enraged the upper caste people.

The people in upper caste localities who moved in groups allegedly attacked police and tried to assault journalists too accusing them of sympathising with the SCs through their reporting. At one stage the senior officers were held up at the police station and could not enter the town. After the additional troops joined them, the police resorted to action and opened fire. The gangs dispersed after the firing. Damage to shops and houses of the SCs was estimated at Rs. 67,000. The injured were shifted to hospital.

Dalits families, whose population was around 1,000 out of total population of 13,000 were fearing for life. They expressed fears that they may not be able to return to their homes immediately as the upper caste people were crying for vengeance. The MRPS leaders who gathered at the place to support SCs could not take up any agitation except sympathise with them after seeing the violent mood of upper caste people, especially Boyas, Telagas and Reddys. Attacks were allegedly carried out on the houses of few Vysyas, who sympathised with the SCs.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Time not ripe for `open sky policy', says Aviation Minister
• Lorry hits roadside hut, five killed
• Three hurt in police firing in Peapuly
• Dacoit gang strikes terror in village
• Notices served on packaged drinking water units
• Development will be party's poll plank: BJP chief
• Dowry demand after marriage also punishable: HC
• Naidu rule marked by anti-poor policies: CPI
• SVU celebrates foundation day
• TRS joins issue with CM
• Focus on Tirumala temple security at House panel meet
• MSR for disbanding Telangana groups in Cong.
• Cong. depriving State of its share of Krishna water: TDP

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu