Amalapuram: A day after the violent protests, in which 20 police personnel injured, over renaming the Konaseema district as BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, patrolling in the area has been intensified and several police battalions were deployed at pickets to restore the law and order in Amalapuram. Director-General of Police (DGP) K.V. Rajendranath Reddy said additional forces were rushed to the district headquarters and the situation is under control now.

In Tuesday’s violence, the arsonists had torched several vehicles including two APSRTC buses. The state transporter has suffered a loss of Rs 70 lakhs during violence. Meanwhile, RTC bus services have been suspended to Amalapuram town. In view of the arson in Konaseema, police protection has been provided to the BR Ambedkar statues in the Nagari constituency in Tirupati.

Konaseema Sadhana Samithi (KSS) had taken out a ‘Chalo Amalapuram’ rally opposing the renaming of the newly carved out Konaseema district. When the police tried to stop them using force, the protestors pelted stones injuring several policemen including the District SP Subba Reddy, who received a head injury, and set the police vehicle on fire. While speaking to the Sakshi correspondent, Eluru Range DIG Pala Raju said the identification of arsonists is in progress and a few people have been taken into custody. He added he's monitoring the law and order situation and asked people not to believe the rumours.

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Later, the angry mob ransacked the residence-cum-camp office of the state transport minister Pinipe Viswarup and set it on fire. They even torched the bikes parked outside the minister’s residence. As per sources, the miscreants were carrying petrol filled bottles during the attack.