SP remarks trigger attack on PS

Nellore: An awareness meet conducted for a section of the people (Muslims) in city on communal harmony and suggestion to stay from anti-social activities by the Superintendent of Police on Friday resulted in vandalism on Saturday night and subsequent protests on Sunday too. The remarks made by the senior police official irked people of the community and they attacked not only I Town police station, but also attacked men, officers and the SP too.

The Inspector General of Police N Sanjay, along with the District Collector M Janaki, categorically admitted the failure in taking precautionary measures while dealing with a community that led to misunderstanding. “The senior police official has not informed about the meet with the community people, neither the State government has directed him to do so. Even subordinate officers did not take steps to dispel rumours and pacify people whose feelings were hurt.

We proposed to transfer I Town circle inspector to another place to calm down the situation and not as an action against him,” said Inspector General of Police. It may be mentioned here that the SP Dr Gajarao Bhupal organised a meet with the community people under I Town police station limits on Friday and he reportedly passed some objectionable comments against the traditions and customs of the people and also asked them to attend without religious attire and physical appearance.

It made the participants angry and also reportedly asked them to be `moderate’ during the changing times. They passed the information to other religious leaders and elders which led to attack on One-Town police station late on Saturday night. Protestors also damaged furniture and three vehicles and physically assaulted some police officers and tried to damage vehicle of the SP Dr Bhupal and the gunman managed opening fire in the air.

The SP escaped from the scene unhurt and other senior officials also failed to control the situation. Vandalism continued till midnight and police booked three separate cases for damaging police vehicles and attacking the police station. Additional forces from neighbouring police divisions and districts were deployed for managing the situation. Prakasam SP Srikanth is also stationed in Nellore for assistance. On Sunday afternoon Inspector General of Police, District Collector, Mayor and others organised a reconciliation meet with youngsters, elders and religious heads to pacify the situation.

They demanded action against the SP who was responsible for hurting their feelings and finally Guntur DSP was asked to enquire on the total episode. When there was a leak from the meet that I Town CI was going to be shifted one section of community leaders staged protest in front of the District Police Office demanding suspension of the SP. They shouted slogans and said the senior officials were making lower rank officers scapegoats in the incident.

IGP Sanjay said he would explain the entire incident to the DGP and submit a report to the government about the same. He said normal situation had prevailed in the city and asked the people not to believe rumours. He said they would take action against who damaged the vehicles as part of protest and unruly attack according to law. Meanwhile, MLC and senior TDP leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was serious about the incident and the government had decided to transfer Nellore SP Dr G Bhupal, city DSP G V Ramudu and I Town inspector Narasimha Rao.

He said they would not spare such instances in the peaceful district. Chandramohan Reddy said they had condemned remarks made by the SP and the community leaders were asked to put a full stop to the issue. Party leaders Adala Prabhakar Reddy and MLC Beeda Ravichandra also participated in the press meet.