Punganur violence: Attack on police pre-planned, says Anantapur range DIG

CHITTOOR: Anantapur range DIG RN Ammi Reddy on Saturday said that the violence in Punganur in which 50 police personnel were injured was pre-planned and those responsible for the attacks would not be spared.

At the Police Guest House in Chittoor, Ammi Reddy screened the video footage of the violence in Punganur to the media. “The change of the route for TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s roadshow is the main reason for the violence. Instead of the predetermined route, a mob suddenly tried to enter Punganur and removed the barricades and got involved in a fight with the police who are deployed there to ensure law enforcement,” the DIG said.

Ammi Reddy said that a mild baton charge was used to control the enraged mob. “However, they did not leave the place and in return hurled large stones at the police officers. The mob even damaged five police vehicles and set them on fire,” he said.

During the violence, the police restrained themselves even though they had weapons and refrained from taking hasty actions. Also, the injured police carried out their duties to save the public from violence and to protect law and order, the DIG said.

Chittoor SP Y Rishanth Reddy said that Chandrababu Naidu had not taken any permission from the police to enter Punganur as per his tour schedule. “As many as 400 police personnel are deployed on duty as per the schedule given by the opposition leader. As per the schedule, Chandrababu’s tour should not enter Punganur and pass through the Chittoor Highway. However, the mob tried to forcibly enter Punganur and attacked the police personnel with empty glass bottles, sticks and stones,” the SP said.

The SP asserted that it was a clear case of a pre-planned attack on the police as clear from the video footage. “Thirteen police personnel are seriously injured. Around 40 people are taken into custody after examining the video footage. The police have registered an FIR under Sec 307 of IPC and Punganur TDP in charge Challa Babu (Challa Ramachandra Reddy), who is named as accused number one in the case. Further investigation is underway,” Rishanth Reddy said.

Earlier in the day, Ammi Reddy visited the Chittoor Government Hospital and inquired about the health condition of the police personnel injured in the violence. He released Rs 10,000 each to the injured police personnel and asked the doctors to provide better treatment for them.