Tension erupted in parts of Kadapa on Saturday and carried over to Sunday (May 10), as two groups clashed over the naming of a traffic island in the city after a particular icon of their choice.

It may be recalled that a section of people has been demanding that the Almaspet Circle be named after Tipu Sultan, the Mysore ruler who died in battle against the British. Meanwhile, another group reportedly wanted the same circle to be renamed as Hanuman Circle, taking exception to the ‘undue credit’ given to what they call a tyrannical ruler.

However, the issue allegedly flared up after some social media posts pitted one community against the other, resulting in tension in the city. Anticipating trouble, a huge posse of police personnel reportedly resorted to lathi charge to manage the situation when the two groups gathered in large numbers at Almaspet and started pelting stones at each other.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the police reportedly took some youth into preventive custody to defuse the tension.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke said they had taken some youths into preventive custody after identifying them as troublemakers. However, no arrest has been made. Mr. Nachiket, along with district Collector Sridhar Cherukuri, held parleys with the peace committee formed with representatives of both the groups and called for restraint.

Meanwhile, former MLA and YSRCP Kadapa constituency in-charge Amzath Basha appealed to the police to release all the arrested youths and take action only on those identified to be involved in any antisocial activity.

Similarly, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav appealed to the State government to bring the situation under control and asked the police department not to allow the tension to escalate in any form. He also took exception to the alleged high-handed behaviour of a policeman against a BJP worker, who was manhandled for no known reason.

TDP MLA and Government whip R. Madhavi Reddy called upon both the communities to observe restraint and pointed out the communal harmony followed in Kadapa for generations. She urged them not to fall prey to the evil designs of the anti-social elements who seek to ‘disturb peace and development of Kadapa’.