Congress MP Ponnam says AP CM's helicopter will be shot down, police book case

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh police booked a suo motu case against Karimnagar Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar who allegedly said that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's helicopter would be 'shot' down.

"A suo motu case has been registered with the Karimnagar Two Town police station and the matter is being investigated," DIG (Karimnagar Range) R.B. Naik told PTI.

Karimnagar District Superintendent of Police V. Siva Kumar said that the MP has been booked under Section 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups).

Asked whether Ponnam Prabhakar would be summoned for questioning, the SP said, "We are collecting the material and based on it further action will be initiated".

While addressing a press conference in Karimnagar town on Thursday, Ponnam Prabakhar gestured with his hands to indicate that he would shoot down the helicopter in which AP Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy would arrive at Karimnagar on January 5.

Holding out a dire threat to the AP Chief Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar had reportedly said, "How can he (Kiran Kumar Reddy) visit Karimnagar district when he is opposing formation of a separate Telangana state."

Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police B Prasada Rao told reporters in Vijayawada that a suo motu case was being filed by the Karimnagar police.

Meanwhile, Seemandhra Lawyers Joint Action Committee (JAC) also lodged a complaint with Rajahmundry police against Ponnam Prabhakar over his controversial statement.

JAC Muppalla Subba Rao said that the statement would create enmity between the people of two regions. JAC has demanded that the MP be arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.