Tension erupts in displaced villages surrounding Mallanna Sagar as residents obstruct BRS campaign

Tension prevailed for some time in the displaced villages surrounding Mallanna Sagar in Gajwel Municipality on Saturday, when scores of residents allegedly attacked a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) campaign vehicle engaged in the municipal election campaign, prompting police intervention.

According to sources, the protesters, many of whom were displaced by the Mallanna Sagar project, accused the previous BRS government of causing significant hardship and losses during the reservoir’s construction. The irate residents blocked the convoy and ‘damaged’ a party vehicle while raising slogans against the BRS leadership.

Holding former Irrigation Minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao responsible for their hardships, they declared that he should not enter their colonies for campaigning. Learning about the incident, local Congress cadres reached the spot and expressed solidarity with the agitating families, which led to a confrontation between supporters of both parties. The clash intensified as leaders from the two groups attacked each other with slippers while shouting slogans, adding to the tension already prevailing in the area.