Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Paramedical Students' Protest Triggers Traffic Chaos and Police Action
Paramedical students protested near Alipiri over grievances they said had lasted a long time.
They were supported by the Student Federation of India.
The students sat on roads used by people traveling to Tirumala.
This stopped many vehicles, including ambulances.
Police arrived and argued with the protesters while trying to reopen the road.
Some protesters were taken into custody.
Videos led to claims that a female student had been dragged by her hair.
The police denied that claim but said an officer pulled her by the hand.
An assistant sub-inspector was later sent to the Reserve, and police warned against protests that seriously inconvenience pilgrims or emergency patients.
Paramedical students backed by the Student Federation of India blocked roads near Alipiri and Garuda Junction.
The blockade disrupted vehicles carrying pilgrims and emergency ambulances traveling toward Tirumala.
Police intervened after tensions rose, taking several protesters into custody and deploying additional forces.
Viral claims alleged that a female student was dragged by her hair during the clearance operation.
ASP Ravi Manoharachari denied hair-pulling allegations but acknowledged an officer pulled a female student by the hand; ASI Lakshmi Kumari was sent to the Reserve.
- Who
- Paramedical students, supported by the Student Federation of India, and police officials including ASP Ravi Manoharachari and ASI Lakshmi Kumari.
- What
- A protest over long-standing grievances blocked roads, causing traffic disruption and leading to police intervention and detentions.
- When
- Saturday; the ASP said police had exercised patience for ten days before intervening.
- Where
- Near Alipiri and Garuda Junction on the route from Tirupati to Tirumala.
- Why
- The students were demanding resolution of long-standing grievances; police said intervention became necessary because pilgrims and emergency patients faced severe hardship.
Students and Protest Supporters
Police and Administration
Need for the protest
Students and Protest Supporters
The paramedical students, supported by the Student Federation of India, said they were protesting to secure resolution of long-standing grievances.
Police and Administration
Police focused on restoring movement after the road blockade caused hardship for pilgrims and emergency patients.
Conduct during clearance
Students and Protest Supporters
Viral footage and allegations suggested that a female student was dragged by her hair during the police operation.
Police and Administration
ASP Ravi Manoharachari denied that police pulled the student by her hair, while acknowledging that an officer pulled her by the hand.
Legal consequences
Students and Protest Supporters
The protesters’ actions caused a major disruption on a route used by pilgrims and ambulances.
Police and Administration
The ASP warned that unauthorized protests causing hardship to pilgrims and emergency patients would attract strict legal penalties.
- Protesters
- Paramedical students backed by the Student Federation of India
- Locations
- Alipiri and Garuda Junction
- Main impact
- Traffic carrying pilgrims and emergency ambulances was blocked
- Police response
- Several protesters were taken into custody and additional forces were deployed
- Disputed allegation
- Social-media claims said a female student was dragged by her hair
- Police clarification
- ASP Ravi Manoharachari denied hair-pulling but acknowledged that an officer pulled the student by the hand
- Disciplinary action
- ASI Lakshmi Kumari was sent to the Reserve following district SP orders