Vijayawada: The police has booked cases against YSRC Sattenapalli candidate Ambati Rambabu and 35 persons for the attack on Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao at Enumetla of Sattenapalli Assembly constituency during polling on April 11. The police has taken six persons into custody on the basis of video footage of the clashes.
The clashes between TD and YSRC activists also occurred at Gurazala, Julakallu, Tungapdu and Eerlapadu villages.
About 80 police personnel reached Enumetla early on Saturday and started a cordon and search operation to look for those who had alleged attacked Mr Rao based on a complaint by his chief election agent A. Jayaram at the Rajupalem police station.
Over the next several hours, the police searched every house in the village, questioned the suspects persons and took them away for inquiry. There was tension as the police did not allow people to leave the village.
DSP V. Kalishavali Rao said the police had taken six persons into custody for questioning and the investigation was continuing.
He said that the police had taken a serious view of the incident as the Speaker was attacked.
He said the TD had lodged a complaint against Mr Rambabu and YSRC leaders Basu Linga Reddy and Nimmakayala Rajanarayana for provoking the activists to attack Mr Rao.
Mr Rao said it was unfortunate that he had to undergo such an experience. He alleged that the incident took place due to the failure of the Centre government to provide sufficient forces to conduct election peacefully.
He said the YSRC activists carried out the attack for about 45 minutes in front of the polling staff. Police failed to reach Enumetla despite the clashes continuing for two hours.
Mr Rambabu said the people feared that the Speaker was rigging votes in the booth and protested against him. He refuted the allegations of a conspiracy and said he was ready to cooperate with the police for investigation. He said the TD was attempting to frame him and other leaders.
Meanwhile, the TD leaders and activists staged a protest at Nandigama crossroads at Sattenapalli demanding stern action against those who attacked the Speaker.
