Workers of TRS and YSR Congress clash in Telangana region as Vijayamma arrives for a day’s fast

Hyderabad: Workers of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and YSR Congress clashed in Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region on Monday, leading to tension.

Trouble broke out in Karimnagar district’s Sircilla town as YSR Congress Party honorary president Y.S. Vijayamma arrived for a day’s fast to highlight the problems faced by weavers.

The TRS wants the party to clarify its position on the issue of a separate Telangana before visiting the region. TRS supporters pelted stones on Vijayamma’s convoy as it reached the outskirts of the town.

Activists of two leaders attacked each other with stones as police tried to disperse the clashing groups. At least four vehicles in Vijayamma’s convoy were damaged. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.TRS, Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) and other groups fighting for separate statehood to Telangana have threatened to disrupt Vijayamma’s visit.

Undeterred, Vijayamma, wife of late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, left Hyderabad for Sircilla but faced protests at various places on the 115 km route. Police made elaborate security arrangements.

TRS legislators K. Tarakarama Rao and Harish Rao were among those arrested as a precaution. Vijayamma, who is also a legislator, stopped near Siddipet in Medak district to pay homage at Telangana martyrs’ memorial. TRS has also given a call for daylong shutdown in Sircilla to protest Vijayamma’s visit.

Unidentified people on Sunday night set afire a bus in the town. TRS appears to be wary of YSR party’s plans to strengthen itself in Telangana region. Vijayamma and her daughter Sharmila last month campaigned for party candidate in a by-election in Parkala in Warangal. Their visit passed off smoothly and evoked good public response.

Despite the perceived strong Telangana sentiment, YSR party put up a good show in the by-election but lost narrowly to TRS.

Police had to use teargas to quell the mob that was attempting to prevent YSRCP honorary president, Vijayamma’s convoy from proceeding further between Gurralagondi and Jakkapur in Medak district.

Windowpanes of more than 40 vehicles in the convoy were damaged at Jakkapur as agitators pelted stones.Tension prevailed all through Rajiv Rahadari in Medak district on Monday when Y.S. Vijayamma, honorary president of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) passed through this district to participate in a dharna in support to weavers at Siricilla in Karimnagar district.

As soon as the large convoy entered the district at Ontimamidi, some of the TRS workers tried to hold dharna on the highway but were prevented by the police. At Duddeda of Kondapaka mandal, some of the TRS workers destroyed the flexi board welcoming Ms. Vijayamamma leading to tension. The TRS activists pelted eggs and stones at two places – Duddeda and Yellamma temple Siddipet. The supporters of the YSRCP who came in the convoy also retaliated by throwing the stones.

The clash between the agitators and police went for more than 20 minutes at Jakkapur village bordering Karimnagar district as large number of protesters came on the road with footwear and stones.