40 arrested for arson during Naidu's visit to Punganur town

TIRUPATI: Around 40 persons were arrested on charges of stone pelting and arson during the visit of Telugu Desam (TD) chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu to Punganur town. The incident occurred on Friday and resulted in injuries to several police personnel and party supporters.

DGP K. V. Rajendranath Reddy assured to take strict action against all those responsible for the violence. He said that the protestors had attacked with stones and damaged five vehicles, including those of police, during Naidu's visit. Among the police personnel injured in the incident was a DSP, who was monitoring the bandobast. The injured officers were rushed to a hospital, where some are undergoing treatment for critical injuries.

“The police have taken swift action and have identified all those involved in the violence”, the DGP said while warning that anyone disturbing law and order face dire consequences. He said that the focus of investigation is on analysing CCTV footage to identify all the accused.

In a related press conference in Chittoor, DIG Anantapur R.N. Ammi Reddy said that the incident appeared to be a pre-planned attack. He revealed that Naidu’s rally did not have permission to enter Punganur and the situation was peaceful until the TD cadre changed the route, leading to confrontation with the police.

“Around 400 personnel were deployed on bandobast duty. The situation was peaceful till all of a sudden TD cadre diverted the route towards Punganur town instead of taking the by-pass route. When police prevented them, they got into an argument and pelted stones and beer bottles,” he said.

Meanwhile, SP Y. Rishanth Reddy, who was also present at the press conference, said that the police were forced to charge in an attempt to control the mob, but they were met with aggression, which led to injuries on both sides. He mentioned that 11 police personnel suffered critical injuries and 30 others sustained minor injuries. Supporters from TD and the YSRC were injured in the stone pelting and arson.

In yet another development AP Police Officers’ Association state president J. Srinivas Rao demanded the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu. He accused Naidu of delivering a provocative speech and inciting violence. Rao blamed the TD chief for disrupting law and order in Punganur.