Superintendent of Police V. Vidyasagar Naidu speaking to the media at Rayachoti, in A.P’s Annamayya district on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In a freak incident, four police personnel on bandobast duty were injured when two groups resorted to clashes during the procession event of the ancient Veerabadhra Swamy Temple in Rayachoti town of Annamayya district on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) night as part of the ongoing annual Brahmotsavams.

The police deployed additional forces and quelled the mobs, restoring law and order, besides clamping Section 144 at all the vital junctions in the town, known for vulnerability to communal clashes.

According to information, a procession related to the temple was going towards the Thana junction, when another group reportedly obstructed the event, leading to heated arguments.

Subsequently, both groups resorted to stone pelting in which four policemen were injured. Police rounded up persons who were behind the communcal flareup and took them into custody for further interrogation.

Superintendent of Police V. Vidyasagar Naidu rushed to the spot and inspected all important junctions in the town until midngiht. Interacting with the elders of both the communities, he appealed for peace and harmony. He cautioned that anyone spreading false information on the social media platforms would be prosecuted. He said that promulgation of the Section 144 would be in force till further orders.

“More than one thousand persons took part in the stone-pelting. Apart from the police, several public were also injured. We deployed drone cameras and identified the people responsible for the violence,” the SP said.

Interestingly, the ancient Veerabadra Swamy temple, with its history dating back to 10th century AD, is known for religious harmony. During the festivals, and temple rituals, people of various faiths visit the temple to offer prayers.