Naidu booked for stone-pelting after TDP workers clash with YSRCP at Punganur
A total of 7 FIRs have been filed, 245 people have been booked in the case and 72 have been arrested
By Sri Lakshmi Muttevi Published on 9 Aug 2023 6:07 AM GMT
Chittoor: Telugu Desam Party chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu was booked for stone pelting and clashes which occurred at Punganur town in Chittoor district.
Naidu is accused of provoking the TDP cadres and being involved in a criminal conspiracy.
A total of 7 FIRs have been filed, and 245 people have been booked in the case. So far 72 have been arrested under Mudiveedi police station limits.
Based on the complaint lodged by Dr Umapathy Reddy an activist of YSR Party, Anamayya police have booked Chandrababu along with 15 others under Section 120b, 147, 148, 153, 307, 115, 109, 323, 324, 506 r/w 149 IPC.
This followed a clash that erupted between TDP and YSRCP cadres during the visit of Naidu on August 4.
In the FIR, Chandrababu Naidu is A1, and TDP leader Devineni Uma is A2, Amaranadha Reddy is A3, and Rambhopal Reddy is A4.
On August 4, a clash broke out between the YSRCP and the TDP supporters when Chandrababu Naidu was traveling to the Punganur constituency to deliver a scheduled public address.
The meeting was set to occur in the constituency of the state's mines minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, uncle of chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu, who did not take permission to enter Punganur town, changed the route instead of taking the bypass road.
According to the FIR, this is a case of criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly of people armed with deadly weapons stones, iron rods, sickles, bricks, and sticks. It was intended to cause rioting, attempt to commit murder, abetment towards committing offence, and voluntarily causing simple hurt.
"Naidu and his TDP cadres criminally conspired and instigated their carders to abuse YCP activists. Due to fear of life threats and the attack made by the accused, the complainant’s party tried to run away. However, the accused chased them and caused bleeding injuries. During that attack, some the police officials also got injured," FIR stated.
A day after the stone pelting incident, DIG Anantapur RN Ammi Reddy, and Chittoor SP Y. Rishanth Reddy said the incident looked like a pre-planned attack. AP DGP Rajendranath Reddy has also ordered an inquiry into the Punganur incident
Around 11 police personnel were critically injured, and 30 suffered minor injuries. Several supporters of the opposition TDP as well as the ruling YSRCP, were injured in stone pelting and arson. During the incident, police vehicles were also set on fire. According to the DIG, the mob had beer bottles, sticks, stones, petrol, and crackers which made the situation worse.
In the last one week, police have also brought extra forces. Around 300 police personnel were mobilized within the district. Besides Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) were deployed across the district,
Naidu is on 'Yudha Bheri' tour to highlight the alleged failure of the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in completing irrigation projects in various districts. It is a 2,500-km tour from Nandikotkur to Pathapatnam.
According to the Chittoor SP, the actual problem started following alleged derogatory remarks by Chandrababu Naidu while addressing a rally at Mulakalacheruvu where he called Thamballapalle MLA Peddireddi Dwarakanatha Reddy a 'Ravan'.
