Tension prevailed in the Konaseema region of the East Godavari district as a complete bandh was observed on Tuesday in protest against the desecration of the statues of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar at four places in Amalapuram Assembly constituency.

The bandh call was given by several Dalit organisations to protest against the vandalism in and around Amalapuram town. It created tension and led to clashes between people of different castes, forcing the police to clamp section 144 in the area. Additional police forces and the Rapid Action Force were rushed to the area to bring the situation under control, the East Godavari district superintendent of police Trivikram Varma told reporters.

In view of the precarious situation, the State Government asked the additional director General of police T Krishna Rao to head the investigations in to the incidents, which appeared to be part of a deeper conspiracy.