Meanwhile, the AP CM directed his colleagues Nimmakayala Chinarajappa and Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy to review the situation with the Karnataka government (Representational Image)

Vijaywada: Kannada student organisations attacked candidates from AP on Saturday at the examination centres of Regional Rural Banks (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) in Bengaluru, Hubli and Dharwad.

This led to tension as agitators prevented AP candidates from appearing in the exam. Some of them also tore the hall-tickets of candidates from AP. The agitators also staged demonstrations at Hubli and Bengaluru railway stations demanding that locals should be given priority.

Meanwhile, the AP CM directed his colleagues Nimmakayala Chinarajappa and Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy to review the situation with the Karnataka government. AP home minister Chinarajappa said the AP government would appeal to the Centre to allow centres in Vijayawada and Visakhapat-nam for competitive examinations.

The Centre is also serious over the Karnataka government not gearing up to tackle the situation, though a delegation led by the Kannada Development Authority had called on the Union finance ministry to give preference to locals with command over regional language.

The demand comes amid growing frustration over locals not getting adequate representation in Grade C and D jobs of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). People from other states were getting selected due to recent changes made in eligibility conditions regarding language proficiency. The Union Home ministry is reportedly unhappy over the failure of Karnataka intelligence to warn about the situation.

As per earlier norms a candidate who studied in local language up to Class X or graduation was considered eligible. However, this was changed in July to Class VIII and six months was given to acquire proficiency in the local language after recruitment.

Citing the same, PCC Chief Dr N. Raghuveera Reddy has urged the Centre to ensure the safety of candidates appearing for competitive examinations in Karnataka.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed special chief secretary, Sateesh Chandra, to speak to the Karnataka DGP and chief secretary about the attack on Telugu candidates appearing for national competitive examinations in Bengaluru. The CM also asked the Karnataka government to provide protection to AP candidates appearing in the competitive examinations scheduled on Sunday and Monday in Bengaluru, Dharwad and Hubli.