Unabated post-poll violence in AP: Section 144 in Palnadu, Tadipatri, lathi charge, leaders under house arrest

AMARAVATI: The violence that erupted during polling on May 13 is continuing unabated in parts of Andhra Pradesh. While Section 144 was imposed in Tadipatri in Anantapur and the entire Palnadu district, police resorted to lathi charges to disperse irate mobs, and leaders of both the YSRCP and the TDP were either put on house arrest or placed under observation.

Palnadu district collector Lotheti Siva Sankar imposed section 144 in the district following simmering tensions. TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu wrote to the Governor and also the DGP about the prevailing condition in Palnadu, particularly Macherla.

Police also sounded alert expecting more attacks on Wednesday. Para Military forces were rushed to Palnadu and check posts were erected at different sports in the entire Macherla area. While Palnadu SP had been camping in Macherla, DGP had sent another 800-strong police force to protect law and order.

In Tadipati, where mobs representing JC Prabhakar Reddy and Kethireddy Pedda Reddy continued their mayhem for the third day. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse supporters from the residences of the leaders. Police have sent away Prabhakar Reddy and Pedda Reddy to different places to bring back peace in Tadipatri on Wednesday. Section 144 was also imposed in Tadipatri.

Prabhakar’s son Ashmith Reddy, who is contesting as a TDP MLA form Tadipatri, had their followers hoist the TDP flag on the residence of sitting YSRCP MLA Kethireddy Pedda Reddy. In the ensuing chaos, police personnel, including CI Murali Krishna, were injured, and an SP vehicle was damaged.

As a preventive measure, Narasraopet police kept Gurajala YSRCP MLA Kasu Mahesh Reddy under house arrest.

In Nandyal, unknown assailants tried to hurt former TDP MLA Bhuma Akhila Priya’s bodyguard Nikhil. Nikhil was standing in front of Akhila Priya’s residence on Tuesday night when a speeding car hit him and three people from the car then started attacking Nikhil. He ran into MLA’s residence and saved his life. Sources said that another TDP leader AV Subba Reddy’s men were involved in the murder attempt. Nikhil was declared out of danger and was admitted to Nandyal Hospital. Police increased security at Subba Reddy’s residence expecting retaliatory strikes.

Meanwhile, TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu formed a seven-member committee to assist victims of post-poll violence in Palnadu. The committee included: Varla Ramaiah, Nakka Anndbabu, Bonda Umamaheswar Rao, Kollu Ravindra, Lavu Krishnadevarayalu, Jang Krishna Murthy, and Julakanti Brahma Reddy.