Unidentified persons desecrated a statue of Indian Constitution's architect B R Ambedkar at Dowleswaram here, police said.
The desecration, which took place at a road junction, sparked tension in Dowleswaram and forces have been rushed to the area to maintain peace, they said.
Further details are awaited. Dalit leaders, who visited the town, were angry over the incident. "It's a grave insult to Ambedkar. The incident has occurred on a day when the country is celebrating the Republic Day," they said.
On January 23, five statues of the Dalit icon werefound vandalised in different villages under Amalapuram division, about 70 kms from here.