Visakhapatnam MP's security upped, GV gets gunman

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam police have stepped up security cover for Visakhapatnam MP M.V.V. Satyanarayana. In addition, they have provided a round-the-clock gunman to the MP’s friend and auditor G. Venkateswara Rao (GV).

Anti-social elements had kidnapped GV as well as MVV’s son Sarat and his wife Jyoti on June 13. They held them hostage at a house in Rushikonda for two and a half days.

Earlier, the MP had one gunman at his residence in Lawson’s Bay Colony. His son had been living alone in an independent house in Rushikonda area and had a watchman.

Now, Vizag police have added one more gunman at the MP’s house. They have provided a gunman with each at GV’s house in Seethammadhara and Sarat’s house near ISKCON temple.

“We have not received any threat calls after the kidnapping incident. We are taking precautions to avoid any incidents,” GV said.

Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the kidnap. Three had been held on the day of the incident and the rest on subsequent days. Two of the arrested are juveniles, hired by accused number 2 (A2) Rajesh.

Police are investigating the role of one Subha Lakshmi, who received the ransom amount on the first day of the incident. She immediately submitted the money to the police station.

“We are investigating her role in this incident, since she is an associate of A1 K.V. Hemant Kumar. Subha Lakshmi had been earlier involved in a kidnapping by Hemant Kumar,” a senior police officer disclosed.