‘Palleku Podam’ in faction-hit villages

GUNTUR: In the wake of faction killings in Prakasam and Kurnool districts, Guntur police have decided to implement the Palleku Podam programme in faction-ridden villages to promote peace and harmony. 

Gurazala Circle Inspector R Dharmendra said  the Palleku Podam programme was organised in Pulipadu, Charla Gudipadu, Madugula and Gogulapadu villages on Friday as per the directive of Guntur Range IG N Sanjay and Rural SP K Narayana Naik. 

Factionalism is rampant mainly in Palnadu area  of the district. The police have identified many sensitive and hyper sensitive villages in Narasaraopet, Gurazala, Macherla and parts of Pedakurapadu and Vinukonda Assembly constituencies where a small friction between two political groups may lead to major clashes. 

As part of the programme, Grama Sabhas will be conducted by the police in faction-ridden villages. An awareness will be created among people about the harmful effects of factionalism, which hampers rural growth, besides claiming innocent lives. Followers of rival factions will be motivated to lead a peaceful life by shunning violence. 

The district police have also laid greater emphasis on maintenance of law and order in the sensitive villages. Factionalists who want to create trouble in villages for their selfish gains, will be dealt with sternly. The Palleku Podam programme is likely to promote rural growth in a big way by bringing about a change in attitude of people.

Recent killings 
Kalli Chinnapa Reddy and his uncle Kalli Venkateswara Reddy were hacked to death by their rival group at Rompicherla village in Narasaraopet Assembly constituency in November 2016 
Sarpanch Pocham Srinivasa Rao was murdered at Vemavaram in Gurazala constituency in March 2017 
Telugu Desam Party worker Tadiparti Papi Reddy was killed by YSR Congress workers at Kandlakunta village in Macherla constituency on May 17