Antagonism between vehement Pro-Telangana activists and those ambivalent on the issue of separate statehood for the region came to the fore on Monday, with an attack on the convoy of Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu by alleged supporters of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The incident took place when the TDP chief was leaving the residence of party Legislator Harishwar Reddy, while on his way to Pargi, to highlight the negligence in supply of fertilizers to farmers in the state.
The protestors had gathered in front of Harishwar Reddy's residence and had raised slogans. The TDP chief's supporters and the police tried to control the situation earlier by placating the protestors. Naidu finished his breakfast and got into his vehicle to resume his onward journey, when the stone-pelting began.
Shouting slogans of "Naidu Go Back", the activists demanded that Naidu make clear his party's stand over the demand of a separate Telangana state.
One constable and several media persons received injuries. All the injured were stated to be out of danger. Media persons accompanying the convoy to cover the TDP chief's tour also came under the barrage of stones.
According to reports coming in, all the vehicles in the convoy were damaged by the bombardment of stones. The vehicle in which Naidu himself was travelling was also damaged.
Sources say that Naidu was unharmed only due to the dexterity of his driver, who managed to veer his vehicle to safety.
The situation was brought under control only after the police resorted to lathicharge and dispersed the protestors. Some of the TRS and BJP activists were arrested.
The convoy left for Kosgi in Mahabubnagar district under tight security, afterwards.