PNS | Vijayawada
The Andhra Pradesh police are said to be mulling the options of arresting TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly provoking violence by the TDP activists at Punganur in Chittoor district on Friday. Sources said top police officials were examining the video footage of Naidu’s speeches at Punganur and the other meeting venues before that like Angallu and Mulakalacheruvu.
Anantapur range DIG RN Ammi Reddy and district Superintendent of Police Y Rishant Reddy told reporters on Saturday that it was because of Naidu’s provocative speeches that the violence escalated, causing serious injuries to police personnel.
They said at Punganur, Naidu had instigated the TDP cadres to attack the YSRCP workers and police. He even insulted DSP by making derogatory statements against him. The TDP activists pelted stones at YSRCP cadres, injuring several of them. One of the videos showed Naidu saying that the YSRCP workers had protested during my visit here using black flags. “I’m warning you; we too can come out on streets with sticks. We’ll be ready to attack you back with our rowdyism,” the TDP chief was seen saying.
The top police officials said as many as 50 people were arrested for indulging in stone pelting and arson during Naidu’s tour in Chittoor district. Also, 200 others involved in the riots are likely to be arrested as police are watching the video footage to identify those who indulged in the violence.
At least 20 police personnel and several supporters of the opposition TDP as well as the ruling YSRCP were injured in stone pelting and arson during Chandrababu Naidu’s tour of the district on Friday.
