Coconut vendor attacks, injures assistant MVI

KAKINADA: A tender coconut vendor Penta Venkata Durga Prasad (27) of Indrapalem village in Kakinada Rural mandal attacked an assistant motor vehicle inspector (MVI) Chinnarao with a coconut hatchet on Friday.

The severely injured official has been admitted to Kakinada Government General Hospital for treatment.

Kakinada DSP P. Muralikrishna Reddy said Durga Prasad brings coconuts in his van and sells them near the Endowment Office in Ramaraopeta. The assistant MVI arrived as a part of checking and asked Durga Prasad to produce records of his vehicle, including fitness certificate, insurance and other details.

A war of words started between the two, leading to abuses. Angered, the vendor picked up his coconut chopper and attacked Chinna Rao. The assistant MVI suffered injuries in his chest and stomach, with two of his fingers getting severed and falling on the road.

Two Town police have registered a case and taken the coconut vendor into custody.

As per another version, Durga Prasad gave ₹2,000 every day to Motor Vehicle Department officials to run his business from the parked van. But on Friday, Chinna Rao reportedly demanded ₹20,000, stating his boss had directed him to collect that amount. When the vendor expressed his inability, the officer allegedly abused and starting beating the coconut vendor.

Infuriated, the vendor picked up his chopper and attacked the officer, injuring him.