Stone-pelting broke out at Almaspet Circle in Kadapa town in Andhra Pradesh on May 9 after Hindus gathered at the Hanuman Temple ahead of the unveiling of a 31-foot Hanuman murthi scheduled for May 12 on Hanuman Jayanti. The same circle has been at the centre of an ongoing dispute over its proposed renaming. Local Muslim groups opposed the gathering, claiming that efforts had already been underway to rename the area as “Tipu Sultan Circle”, allegedly citing Kadapa’s historical links with Tipu Sultan and holding meetings with political and non-political leaders in support of the proposal.
As tensions escalated following the gathering of the two groups, Muslim groups reportedly raised religious slogans and resorted to stone-pelting during the confrontation despite repeated warnings from police authorities. To control the situation, police resorted to a lathi charge. The violence injured a Circle Inspector, an SI, several police personnel and some Hindus, while police vehicles were also damaged in the clashes.
Kurnool Range DIG Dr Koya Praveen and several police personnel visited the area. Speaking to the media, they said a “small incident” between two groups unexpectedly escalated into stone-pelting in which police personnel suffered injuries.
He said one CI, one SI and nearly 10 police personnel sustained bleeding injuries while attempting to control the violence and maintain peace.
🟦 కడప నగరంలోని అల్మాస్ పేట సర్కిల్ ను పరిశీలించిన కర్నూలు రేంజ్ డీ.ఐ.జి శ్రీ డా. కోయ ప్రవీణ్*
రెండు వర్గాల మధ్య చిన్న ఘటన జరిగిందని, అనుకోకుండా రాళ్ల దాడి , కొంతమంది పోలీస్ సిబ్బంది గాయపడడం జరిగినది#kadapasp #digkurnool #kadapapolice#LawAndOrder @APPOLICE100 pic.twitter.com/EqCTajTdVu— Kadapa Police (@Kadapa_Police) May 10, 2026
Kurnool Range DIG Shri Dr Koya Praveen stated that a small incident took place between two groups, and unexpectedly stone-pelting occurred, in which some police personnel were injured. On Sunday, the Kurnool Range DIG, along with District SP Shri Shelke Nachiket IPS, inspected the incident spot at Almaspet Circle in Kadapa city. Later, while speaking to the media, he stated that some of those involved in the stone-pelting and attack were taken into custody, while some others were absconding. A search operation is underway for them. He also stated that the District SP conducted a flag march.
ప్రజల భద్రత,శాంతి భద్రతల పరిరక్షణే లక్ష్యంగా రాళ్ల వర్షం కురుస్తున్నా,రక్త గాయాలవుతున్నా సంయమనం పాటించిన కడప పోలీసులు
సామరస్యంగా సమస్య పరిష్కరించేందుకు శాయశక్తులా కృషి చేసిన పోలీస్ శాఖ
ఒక సి.ఐ, ఒక ఎస్.ఐ , 10 మంది పోలీస్ సిబ్బందికి రక్త గాయాలు#kadapapolice@APPOLICE100#dial112 pic.twitter.com/PI4nJMvXfD— Kadapa Police (@Kadapa_Police) May 9, 2026
Kurnool Range DIG Shri Dr Koya Praveen IPS stated that both groups would be counselled and religious harmony would be protected. He said that while Section 144 is in force, rallies should not be conducted and more than four persons should not gather. He stated that the law gives police the authority to disperse them. He advised everyone to behave in a manner that does not hurt each other’s religious beliefs.
In the backdrop of the incident that took place at Almaspet on Saturday, police conducted a flag march on 10 May under the direction of District SP Shelke Nachiket IPS.
District Collector Dr Sridhar Cherukuri and Kadapa SP Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath said strict security arrangements had been made to ensure peace and communal harmony in the district.
They blamed “anti-social elements” and misinformation on social media for escalating tensions and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the riots.
Locals speaking to Organiser said the stone-pelting by Muslims appeared to be a pre-planned activity. They said neither the locals nor any Hindu organisation had demanded that the circle be named “Hanuman Circle”. However, they added that objections against naming it after Tipu Sultan were genuine. Instead, they suggested that if the circle had to be renamed, Muslims could rename it after APJ Abdul Kalam, and said they were even ready to offer a statue of him.
