A group of about 30 pro-Telangana youngsters, allegedly activists of the Telangana United Front (TUF), ransacked three toll-booths, damaged furniture and computers and set them ablaze on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) at Puppalaguda in the wee hours of Friday.
One booth was completely gutted. Police took into custody 15 persons, including Vimalakka, by evening in connection with the incident.
At around 4.30 am, the activists reached Puppalguda in a DCM van and surrounded the toll plaza.
“Shouting slogans against the government, they damaged furniture and computers in three booths,” Rajendranagar assistant commissioner of police (ACP) A Mutyam Reddy said.
“After damaging the booth, the activists poured petrol and threatened the three staffers sitting inside the booths, who then ran away,” the ACP said.
The protestors left banners and signboards of Telangana United Front at the scene.
After being alerted by the staff, Narsingi police rushed to the spot.
In-charge of the toll plaza Sravan Chandra lodged a complaint with the police.
“The activists threatened the staff, poured petrol on the booths and set them on fire. We told them that we are also from Telangana, but they paid no attention and went about damaging the property,” he said.
Narsingi police registered cases under section 147 (punishment for rioting), 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups), 427 (mischief), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive), 285 (negligent conduct) 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) read with 149 of IPC and section 7 clause 1 of Criminal Law Amendment.
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy took a serious view of the incident.
Sources said police teams raided the residences of Vimalakka and her followers and took them into custody.
Vimalakka was recently arrested by the police in connection with damaging former chief minister Kasu Brahmananda Reddy’s statue in Banjara Hills.
Later, the court granted bail and she was let off from the Chanchalguda women’s prison.
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