Chandrababu Naidu demands CBI probe as Andhra Pradesh Police book him for Rayalaseema violence

Violence erupted in the Annamayya and Chittoor districts in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh on Friday during Naidu’s tour.

BySNV Sudhir

Published Aug 09, 2023 | 9:52 PM ⚊UpdatedAug 09, 2023 | 9:54 PM

Chandrababu Naidu at an irrigation project

Chandrababu Naidu at an irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, 9 August, 2023. (Supplied)

Even as the Andhra Pradesh police registered an FIR on Tuesday, 8 August, against TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu for “inciting violence” a few days ago in Rayalaseema, he demanded on Wednesday a CBI probe into the violent incidents that had taken place last Friday during his ongoing campaign to visit irrigation project sites.

Violence erupted at two places — in the Annamayya and Chittoor districts — in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh on Friday during Naidu’s tour.

Several TDP and YSRCP workers were injured in the violence. Police personnel were also grievously injured and their vehicles were torched. The police had to use force and fire tear gas to disperse the agitating crowd.

Related: Violence erupts during Rayalaseema tour of Chandrababu Naidu

The police case

Following the violence, the state police late evening on Tuesday registered a case naming Naidu as accused number one (A1) for allegedly instigating his party cadres to attack a group of ruling YSRCP supporters who apparently came to make a representation to him.

The case was registered late on Tuesday at the Mudiveedu Police Station in the Annamayya district.

It named other TDP leaders such as Devineni Uma Maheswar Rao, A Amaranatha Reddy, Rambhupal Reddy, and a dozen more in descending order as accused.

The case was registered under IPC Sections 120B, 147, 153, 307, 115, 109, 323, 324, and 506 read with Section 149.

It relates to the sequence of events that occurred at the tri-junction of the Angallu village as part of Naidu’s “Yuddha Bheri” programme, a 2,500-kilometre tour from Nandikotkur to Pathapatnam to expose the alleged failure of the YSRCP government in completing irrigation projects.

The incident in Punganur saw more than 50 police personnel injured and one constable even lose an eye. Several cadres from the incumbent and Opposition parties suffered injuries. The police said Naidu “provoked” his supporters to attack YSRCP cadres.

Incidentally, local YSRCP leaders attempted to give a representation to the former chief minister not to allegedly misguide people on projects being stalled in the state.

They claimed that the principal Opposition leader was behind such developments by making his party cadre file litigations in courts and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

However, the police said Naidu allegedly provoked his cadres to attack those people who came to submit the representation.

Andhra Pradesh tragedy: 8 killed in stampede at TDP roadshow

Naidu reacts

Demanding an investigation by CBI into the assault on him in the Chittoor district, Naidu on Wednesday said he felt that the attack was a conspiracy and premeditated.

Talking to reporters in Vizianagaram, Naidu asked how dare the state government file a case against him, the victim of the incident. “I was attacked by some goons, and yet the case was filed against me,” he said.

By filing false cases against the TDP cadre, Chief Minister and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy was trying to reap benefits for the coming election, Naidu claimed.

He dared the state government to reply to the questions raised by the leaders of the Opposition parties.

“I have been travelling across the state as part of the Yuddha Bheri programme to inform the people about the corruption, injustice, destruction and devastation caused to the irrigation projects. As part of the programme, I was in Angallu village where I was attacked and an attempt to murder case is registered against me,” Naidu explained.

The local minister and his brother hatched a conspiracy and filed a case against him, the TDP supremo said.

Narrating how the incident took place, Naidu claimed: “Contract works for a parallel canal to Handri-Neeva were awarded to the company PLR Projects, which belongs to minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy.”

He added: “When I went to oversee the ongoing works, the local farmers complained to me that the officials, with the help of the police, had forcibly taken their lands without officially acquiring them and without paying the Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) to them.”

Naidu continued: “While I was returning, the YSRCP goondas created obstructions for me and attempted to kill me. By that time, my chief security officer had informed the district superintendent of police (SP) [about the incident].”

Related: After 2 stampedes and 11 deaths, AP bans meetings, rallies on roads

Demand fo CBI probe

Pointing out that he had been given National Security Guard (NSG) cover, Naidu asked whether he should have run away from there when the goondas are attacking him.

“What will be the fate of the state if I, as the former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition, now run away from there?” he asked.

It had become a habit for “these people” to kill someone and in return file cases against those related or connected to the victim, remarked Naidu in an oblique reference to the ruling YSRCP.

Pointing out that before Angallu, a similar incident of stone-pelting was reported from Yerragondapalem and Nadigama, the TDP supremo said that resorting to attacks had become a habit of his political rival.

Naidu said he felt that the facts would come to light only with a CBI inquiry, and that wanted the probe to be conducted in all the incidents that had taken place in various parts of the state.

Who were involved in the attacks, who was behind these incidents, and under whose directions the goondas resorted to these assaults would come to light only with a CBI probe, he said.

YSRCP blames Naidu

Meanwhile, the YSRCP blamed Naidu for sparking unrest in Punganur.

YSRCP general secretary and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Wednesday blamed Naidu for having triggered violence in Punganur.

He said, “Chandrababu Naidu was visibly happy while people were indulging in violence and arson.”

Reddy added: “The TDP had planned to burn down the state. What kind of a leader encourages such disregard of law and order?”

Tags:  

Recommended For You

Latest News

Top News