Accused suicide attempt triggers political controversy in Vizag

The Telugu Desam (TD) leaders Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Visakha South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, Visakha East MLA, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu and activists of the party on Saturday alleged that police under the rule of the YSR Congress have been harassing TD activists.

However, Narsipatnam ASP, Rishanth Reddy said that Santosh and two others were caught by the police on Thursday night for drunk driving. A challan was also served to the accused and the blood alcohol content was around 250 mg. The three entered into an argument with police and pelted stones, resulting in the windscreen of the police jeep shattering. On Friday the trio was brought to the police station for questioning and during that period he jumped off the building and suffered injuries, he added.

Vizag Rural police chief Babujee Attada said, “Santhosh has a criminal history. A couple of years ago he was arrested for attacking a man. The two others who were with Santhosh also do not have a good track record and one of them is a history-sheeter.”

On Saturday, Ayyanna Patrudu who is a former MLA from Narsipatnam along with two TD MLAs visited KG Hospital in Vizag, where Santhosh was admitted and sympathised with the victim and his family.

Ayanna Patrudu said, “Narsipatnam ASP Rishanth Reddy held Santhosh at gunpoint. The inspector and sub-inspector of Narsipatnam police station beat him up mercilessly in the police station on Friday. Unable to bear the beating, Santhosh jumped from the building and fractured his limbs.” Santhosh is a TD activist and so he was targeted by the police, Ayyanna added.

If the DIG of the Visakha Range L.K.V. Ranga Rao and Vizag Rural police chief Babujee Attada fail to initiate action against the ASP Rishanth Reddy and two other police officers, we will launch a massive protest in Narsipatnam, pointed out Ayyanna Patrudu.