AP Home Minister Sucharita visits Velagapudi amid clashes, announces ex-gratia to deceased

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha visited the Velagapudi in the wake of pelting of stone incident in the capital region Amaravati and met the family members of the deceased on the occasion. A comprehensive inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The Home Minister clarified that action would be taken against the police if they were involved in the attack. On this occasion, she announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the family of the deceased. The Home Minister assured the victims that they would try to give one of the kin a job according to their education.

Relatives of the deceased insisted that an inquiry be held into the role of the MP Nandigam Suresh in the incident. Along with the Home Minister, MP Nandigam Suresh and MLA Meruga Nagarjuna inspected the area where the incident took place.

Earlier, tensions were high in the Amaravati region after a clash took place between the two communities in Velagapudi. There was controversy over the naming the recently constructed village entrance in the SC colony. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Saturday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Both factions threw stones last night. A woman named Mariamma was seriously injured in the incident and several people were injured. They were rushed to the hospital. She was shifted to Guntur as her health condition deteriorated and pronounced dead while receiving treatment there.

In this backdrop, under the auspices of the National Mala Mahanadu, dead body was taken to a dharna on the road and chanted slogans against Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh. Police were heavily deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.