By Pradeep Vennelakanti
V Kota (Chittoor district): A minor dispute over a cricket game in Venkatagiri Kota popularly known as V Kota of Palamaner constituency in Chittoor district turned into a communal conflict, prompting the police to impose Section 144 as a precautionary measure. Shops, offices and educational institutions in the area have been closed, and a tense atmosphere prevailed on Tuesday.
The situation remains tense in V Kota, after a simple cricket game took a violent turn. When youth were playing cricket on a street, a ball accidentally hit a married woman and injured her late on Monday.
This led to a confrontation between the two groups followed by a group of youths reportedly attacking the woman’s family when they questioned about the incident. The confrontation escalated when tens of people, armed with knives and rods, attacked a house, leading to a chaotic and violent scene.
The altercation quickly turned into a serious clash between the two communities and assume communal tinge as the youth went on a rampage in the town. Some people from both sides sustained injuries in the violence, including a BJP leader Ramachandra Rao.
Police authorities swiftly entered the scene and brought the situation under control. In view of the gravity of the situation, the district administration decided to take all steps leaving no stone unturned in preventing further violence.
This story was originally published in thehansindia.com. Read the full story here.
