Metro India News | amaravati

Tension gripped Chittoor district on Thursday night after unidentified miscreants set fire to a shed near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Devalampeta village in Vedurukuppam mandal. The flames spread to the statue, leaving it partially damaged and triggering outrage among Dalit groups and local residents.

As news of the incident spread, large numbers of community members and leaders staged protests, condemning the act as an insult to Ambedkar’s legacy. The situation quickly escalated, prompting police to deploy additional forces to prevent further unrest.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reacted sharply to the development, terming it unacceptable and directed police officials to take immediate and strict action. “Insults to national leaders’ statues will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said, instructing officials to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the culprits are booked without delay.

Senior police officers rushed to Devalampeta following the Chief Minister’s orders. They inspected the site, collected evidence, and began questioning locals for clues about the suspects. With the atmosphere remaining tense, a heavy police presence has been stationed in the village to prevent any untoward incidents.

The government has also appealed for peace, urging people not to resort to violence while investigations are underway. Authorities said every effort is being made to identify the offenders and bring them to justice at the earliest.