An inter-caste couple and some of their relatives were allegedly attacked by nearly 200 members related to the woman’s family in Yerpedu mandal of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on Friday night. However, police registered an FIR only after civil society groups and locals protested in front of the DSP’s office, according to activist Janamala Guravayya. 

According to a video made by the couple seeking police protection, last week, Mahesh, who belongs to the Mala community, a Scheduled Caste, married Sneha, who is from the Yadava community (an OBC community). After the wedding in Sullurupeta, the couple approached Tirupati Urban SP citing threats from Sneha’s family. The officer directed them to the CI of Alipiri, who assured them of safety and sent them back home to Yerpedu. 

However, on Friday night, Sneha’s relatives arrived at the SC colony, where the couple had been staying with Mahesh’s relatives. A woman relative of Mahesh told local media that about 200 people arrived at their neighbourhood to attack them. “Their men physically attacked our women, dragged us out by the hair and insulted us. This went on for nearly 45 minutes but the police, who were nearby, didn’t respond until our men went and requested them to take action,” she claimed. 

The mob had arrived with sickles, knives, acid bottles and even a hammer, breaking down the door of the room where the couple was staying. However, there were no serious injuries, the police said. 

According to Guravayya, the SP had directed the couple to Alipiri CI saying he was busy with work related to the Srivari Brahmotsavam, an annual festival celebrated at the Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala. He also alleged that though the CI had assured them of safety, the local police station, which is situated right next to the SC colony, was understaffed as many police personnel had been sent on security duties for the Brahmotsavam. 

CI Sivakumar Reddy said that an FIR has been registered against 14 of Sneha’s relatives under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, as well as Section 307 (attempt to murder). But Guravayya has claimed that this was done only after pressure from Dalit rights groups. Renigunta DSP is now investigating the case. However, no arrests have been made so far. Police protection has now been provided to the couple and Mahesh’s relatives in the SC colony.