Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Sep 13 (IANS) Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu Monday faced the ire of Telangana activists in two districts of the region with the protesters hurling stones at his convoy.
Four people, including a police constable, were injured in the violence.

The leader of opposition faced massive protests by pro-Telangana parties at several places in Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts.

Violence broke out at two places as the Telangana activists clashed with police and TDP workers.

A protester also threw his “chappal” (slipper) towards Naidu but it missed him and fell some distance away. The incident took place Monday evening in Mahabubnagar district.

Naidu was greeted with stone pelting and slogan shouting by the protesters all along his route from Hyderabad to Mahabubnagar via Ranga Reddy district. The former chief minister, who hails from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, faced the ire of Telangana supporters for opposing the demand for separate statehood to Telangana.

Despite the protests, Naidu visited Mahabubnagar district and addressed his supporters at few places amid tight security. He wondered why he was targeted when he was not against separate Telangana.

Naidu visited the district to meet the farmers facing problems due to insufficient supply of fertilisers by the state government. He and other TDP leaders staged a sit-in protest outside the district collector’s office Monday evening demanding enough supply of fertilisers.

Activists of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) set afire TDP flags, posters and other party material while trying to disrupt a road-side meeting addressed by Naidu at Muddur in Mahabubnagar district.

Earlier, Naidu’s convoy came under attack in Ranga Reddy district. Four people, including a police constable, were injured in the violence at Pargi, about 70 km from here.

Naidu escaped to safety as his driver sped the car away to evade stones.

The TDP chief faced protests at various places in Ranga Reddy district as pro-Telangana activists tried to block his way and shouted slogans of “Naidu go back”.

Trouble broke out at Pargi when Naidu stopped at the house of party legislator Harishwar Reddy for breakfast. Activists of the TRS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gathered outside, raised slogans against him and tried to barge into the house. They clashed with TDP workers and the police.

The protesters hurled stones at Naidu’s convoy as it was leaving Reddy’s house. According to witnesses, Naidu’s driver had a tough time in controlling the vehicle.

Police used batons to control the crowd, injuring three people. A policeman also sustained injuries in the stone pelting.

TRS activists had earlier tried to stop Naidu’s convoy at Chevella and other places but were arrested.