Two Cong supporters, cop hurt in clash

Bhongir: Two Congress Party activists and a police constable were injured here on Monday after the supporters of local MP K Rajagopal Reddy and Suryapet MLA R Damodar Reddy clashed in the presence of the AICC observer D Wagre. Police made lathi-charge to disperse the rival groups.

Trouble started as Rajagopal Reddy objected to the proposal of Damodar Reddy who wants his son Sarvottam Reddy to contest from Bhongir Lok Sabha constituency. Rajagopal told the MLA to confine his activities to Suryapet Assembly constituency instead of creating trouble in Bhongir. This led to wordy duel between Damodar Reddy and Rajagopal Reddy. Damodar alleged that the later was indulging in several illegal activities including land grabbing.

This led to heated exchange of words and pelting of stones between the two groups. The MPs car was also damaged in the stone pelting. The police rushed to the spot and restored order after a mild lathi charge. Meanwhile the AICC observer left the place after completing their work. Later, Rajgopal Reddy, accompanied by Nakrekal MLA Chirumarthy Lingaiah and others, staged a dharna and ‘rasta roko’ in front of Bhongir police station demanding registration of a case against Damodar Reddy and Bhongir congress leader Chinthala Venkateshwar Reddy for attacking his supporters.