Stone Attack On Andhra CM Jagan: Families Of Suspects Stage Protest

Some residents of Vaddera Colony claimed they were wrongly accused in the case.

On April 13, Jagan Reddy sustained an injury above his eyebrow after being struck by a stone thrown from the crowd at Daba Kottu in Ajit Singh Nagar.

Source : File Photo

A few residents of Vaddera Colony in Vijayawada staged a protest on Wednesday as police allegedly detained another individual linked to the April 13 attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The protest started after family members of Durga Rao were unable to locate him at the police station. 

On April 13, the Chief Minister sustained an injury above his eyebrow after being struck by a stone thrown from the crowd at Daba Kottu in Ajit Singh Nagar while campaigning for next month’s elections. YSRCP MLA Velampalli Srinivasa Rao, standing beside Jagan Mohan Reddy, was also injured in the attack. The police registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code based on a complaint by MLA Srinivasa Rao.

Till now, the police have indicated that six individuals have been taken into custody for interrogation regarding the attack.

Some residents of Vaddera Colony claimed they were wrongly accused in the case. They staged a protest near the Police Commissioner’s office but were later calmed down by the police.

The families of the daily wage workers detained by the police also urged for the immediate release of the suspects. However, special teams, formed to investigate the case, have apprehended suspects and are scrutinizing the involvement of six individuals. 

The police have also gathered video recordings from participants of the roadshow and CCTV footage from nearby locations. Initially, it was speculated that the attacker might have used a sling or an air gun, but authorities now believe the stone was thrown at high velocity, possibly a piece of pavement tile.

The incident also led to a war of words between YSRCP and Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh.

In AP, the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats will have simultaneous elections on May 13.