Journalist Hacked to Death in V. Kota; Rowdy-Sheeter Suspected
He died on the spot, triggering tension in the area.
Tirupati: A journalist working with a vernacular Telugu daily was murdered at V. Kota in Chittoor district on Tuesday.
The victim, V. Jaganmohan Reddy (49), was attacked while on a morning walk along with another journalist.
According to police, two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and hacked him with knives before fleeing the scene. He died on the spot, triggering tension in the area.
Another journalist, who tried to intervene, sustained injuries in the attack. Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and shifted the body to the government hospital in Palamaner for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and an investigation is under way. The victim is survived by his wife and two children.
Police identified a rowdy-sheeter as the prime suspect in the murder and said he was assisted by another person. Though the accused belongs to V. Kota, he is currently residing in Karnataka. A manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest the accused.
Tushar Dudi visited the scene and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the murder.
Police examined CCTV footage from nearby areas and collected evidence.
The SP directed officials to identify and arrest the accused without delay and ordered that the investigation be intensified. Special teams have been formed to probe the case from all angles.
Speaking to media persons, the SP said the motive behind the murder was being examined and assured that the accused would be arrested soon. He appealed to the media to cooperate with police and maintain restraint until the investigation was completed. He also warned against spreading misinformation or inciting communal tension and urged the public to act responsibly on social media.
Journalist associations strongly condemned the incident.
Members of the Andhra Pradesh Journalist Forum termed it shameful in a democratic society. The Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation also condemned the murder and demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of all those involved.
