Bandh in Nalgonda after stone-pelting; protestors attack IG

The bandh evoked good response with closure of shops and business establishments in Nalgonda town while scores of devotees in Ayyappa 'deeksha' took out protest rallies and blocked roads in different parts of the town and raised slogans against alleged police inaction on their demands.

A group of around 20 demonstrators belonging to different pro-BJP organisations held a rasta roko in Yellareddigudam of Narketpalli mandal and pelted stones on the vehicle of Inspector General of Police (West Zone) Rajiv Ratan.

The IG was on his way to Nalgonda to review law and order situation, where prohibitory order was promulgated following yesterday's incidents of stone pelting, they said.

The IG suffered minor injuries on his shoulders after one of the protestors hit him with a stick even as police immediately intervened and picked up the demonstrators.

Rajiv Ratan later told reporters that "The situation in Nalgonda was under control and peaceful. I appeal people not to get provoked. Following a request, we have released 14 people who were in Ayyappa deeksha and their deeksha has been restored with the help of guruswamy."

However, the prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC which were imposed yesterday in Nalgonda town shall continue tomorrow also, police said.

Police had yesterday lobbed tear-gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge on devotees when they pelted stones at police and houses of a particular community in the Old Town here to protest beating up of a auto-rickshaw driver, who was in Ayyappa deeksha, by two members of a particular community.

At least four policemen were injured in the incident even as around 50 protesters were taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission called for a report from Nalgonda District Superintendent of Police by January 17, following a petition by an advocate Pradeep Kumar, who alleged that police "targetted" members of majority community even as no action was initiated against the assaulters of the auto-driver.