Activists of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), on Tuesday, disrupted the film shooting of M. Manoj, son of veteran actor M. Mohan Babu, protesting the latter’s expression of support to united Andhra Pradesh agitation.
The agitators attacked a house into which Mr. Manoj and other film unit members ran for cover, breaking the window panes. A TV journalist’s camera got damaged triggering protests from journalists holding the actor responsible for “attacking them and their property”.
Trouble started when TRS workers descended at the Canton, a gated community, on learning about shooting of the yet to be named film being directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. They surrounded the film crew raising slogans of ‘Jai Telangana’ and demanded the shooting be stopped at once. Arguments ensued but the agitators who outnumbered the film unit members forced the latter to move away damaging some lights and a camera.
The Petbasheerabad police rushed to the spot and sent away the TRS workers using mild force. “Just when we were leaving the place, Mr. Manoj abused and heckled us from the top of the building provoking our cadre,” TRS leader S. Raju said. The agitators pelted stones at the house and tried to barge inside while media persons followed them.
Mr. Manoj allegedly pushed away a TV journalist, Venkat, whose video camera got broken. Describing it as an attack on the media, the journalists staged a demonstration before the house. Police rushed additional forces to the otherwise quiet colony. Residents there were in panic as some lathi-wielding agitators vowed not to allow Mr. Manoj to leave the place until he apologised.
By then, Manoj and other film unit members had left through another gate. As the demonstrations were on, Manoj’s elder brother, Vishnu, also a film star, arrived there. The frenzied demonstrators rushed to his vehicle, but the police dispersed them using force and escorted him to local police station in their vehicle.
A case was registered under Sections 323 (assault), 447 (trespass) and 427 (damaging property) of Indian Penal Code against Mr. Manoj and Mr. Vishnu following a complaint lodged by ‘Saakshi TV’ reporter, Venkat. Another case under Sections 447 and 427 of IPC was registered against TRS workers and media persons based on the colony’s security guard’s complaint.
No comments:
Post a Comment