Amid farmer protests in AP, Macherla MLA's vehicle stoned

Hyderabad: The protests of Capital region farmers intensified on Tuesday. An assault was carried out on the vehicle of Government Whip and Macherla YSRCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy. The MLA was injured as his gunmen were also attacked by the protestors. The assault on MLA's vehicle took place at Chinakakani on National Highway between Guntur and Vijayawada, in the morning, when Pinnelli was on his way to Macherla.

The protestors pelted stones and attacked MLA's vehicle with rods. The police has identified the involvement of TDP activists, who were disguised as farmers. The MLA's gunmen tried to prevent the agitators from pelting stones, but also received injuries. The vehicle was partially damaged.

Meanwhile, the YSRCP has condemned the assault on MLA Pinnelli and accused TDP for instigating such unruly behaviour.

Later speaking to media, Whip and MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that TDP activists and leaders attacked his vehicle, in the guise of farmers. The MLA said that Naidu has the habit of instigating such attacks, which was even endorsed by his co-son in law Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, in his book. He added that attack on his vehicle wouldn't yield a solution to the problems of the farmers. The MLA appealed to the farmers to not fall in the trap of Naidu.

Meanwhile, the high power committee meeting scheduled on Tuesday at CRDA office, started at TIDCO office, following the inputs from intelligence that the protestors may stage dharna at CRDA office.

The police are suspecting outsiders, in the ongoing protests at various places at National Highway -7, between Ongole and Nalgonda checklists. The SPs of Capital region districts have given special instructions to the border police stations and directed them to go for preventive custody of strangers on the suspicion that they may resort to violence. All MLAs in the Capital region have been asked to stay alert, in the wake of the assault on Whip Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy.