Three Arrested, Red Sanders Worth ₹1.5 Crore Seized In Task Force Operation

Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team of the RSASTF, state intelligence and the forest department intercepted a truck near Varikuntla village in Avadutha Kasinayana mandal of Kadapa district in the early hours of Saturday. Officials alleged that the red sanders logs had been concealed inside the vehicle under the guise of transporting household goods.

Two alleged interstate smugglers, identified as Sunny, 28, and Ramesh, 33, both from Haryana, were arrested and the vehicle, along with the contraband, was seized.

During the investigation, the task force arrested M. Mallikarjun, a forest beat officer posted at Jyothi forest beat, for allegedly assisting the smuggling syndicate.

Officials said the investigation had revealed links to key operatives based in Bengaluru, Haryana and Kolkata, and special teams had been formed to apprehend the remaining accused.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of RSASTF head L. Subbarayudu and supervised by RSASTF SP P. Srinivas and Additional SP J. Kulashekar.

Task force officials said stringent action would continue against those involved in red sanders smuggling and that no one, irrespective of position, would be spared. L. Subbarayudu commended the task force personnel for busting the alleged interstate smuggling network.

TTD employee suspended following inquiry into misconduct allegations

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has suspended N. Sharath Babu, an office subordinate working in the GNC area of Tirumala, pending disciplinary proceedings.

The action follows the circulation of a video on social media alleging that the employee demanded money from devotees, along with reports published in several newspapers.

TTD said a preliminary inquiry found that the employee’s conduct was in violation of the TTD employees’ conduct rules.

Based on the findings of the preliminary inquiry, the temple administration issued orders placing the employee under immediate suspension pending further action.

Armed gang uproots ATM, escapes with ₹13.05 lakh in Annamayya district

An armed gang allegedly uprooted an ATM and fled with ₹13.05 lakh in cash in the early hours of Saturday at Madanapalle town in Annamayya district.

According to police, the gang used a Bolero vehicle to pull out the ATM installed at Shivaji Nagar in the Industrial Estate area at around 1.15 am.

Local residents alerted the police after witnessing the incident. Witnesses alleged that the suspects were armed with guns and knives, preventing residents from coming out of their houses.

During the investigation, police recovered parts of the dismantled ATM machine from Motla Cheruvu on the Vayalpadu–Nimmanapalle border and near Challavaripalli in Nimmanapalle mandal.

Investigators suspect the gang drove in different directions to mislead the police before cutting open the ATM and fleeing with `13,05,500 in cash.

Acting on the directions of Annamayya district SP Dheeraj Kunubilli, multiple police teams have launched a search operation. Drones and special teams have been deployed to trace the accused. Further investigation is underway.

Youth allegedly abducted by unidentified persons in Yemmiganur

Tense situation prevailed in Yemmiganur town of Kurnool district on Saturday following the alleged abduction of a youth by unidentified persons.

The victim, identified as Eediga Mahesh, a resident of Kotekal village in Yemmiganur constituency, was employed at a private medical shop in the town.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Saturday morning while Mahesh was on his way to work.

Eyewitnesses alleged that a group of unidentified persons forcibly dragged Mahesh into a car and drove away, creating panic among local residents.

Sources said CCTV footage traced the suspected vehicle passing through the Mantralayam toll plaza, providing investigators with a possible lead.

Mahesh’s parents said they would lodge a formal complaint with the police.

Police had not issued an official statement on the incident till the filing of this report.

Boy critical after snakebite; family appeals for financial assistance

An 11-year-old boy is undergoing treatment after suffering a snakebite in YSR Kadapa district, with his family appealing for financial assistance to meet the medical expenses.

The Class VI student from Gangayapalle village in Kalasapadu mandal was bitten by a snake two days ago. He was initially shifted to a private hospital in Giddalur, where he is undergoing treatment.

Doctors said the boy remains in a critical condition and is on ventilator support. According to the family, the estimated cost of treatment exceeds ₹2 lakh.

The boy’s parents said they were unable to bear the medical expenses and appealed to donors for financial support.

According to the family, teachers have contributed about ₹1 lakh towards the treatment. However, they said additional financial assistance is required as the boy continues to remain in a critical condition.

The incident has drawn sympathy from local residents, who have appealed to well-wishers to extend support to the family.

Hotel vandalised amid lease dispute at Tirupati Town Club

Tense situation prevailed at the Tirupati Town Club after unidentified persons allegedly vandalised RK Meat Foods Hotel following a dispute over the lease of the premises.

According to the hotel management, the Town Club authorities were attempting to lease the property to another party. However, the management of RK Meat Foods refused to vacate the premises, claiming that the existing lease agreement had not expired.

The hotel management alleged that the vandalism occurred after it declined to hand over possession of the premises.

Police, led by Tirupati West circle inspector P. Ramakrishna, visited the spot, registered a case and launched an investigation.

Officials are examining CCTV footage from the premises to identify the around 40 persons allegedly involved in the vandalism. Further investigation is underway.

30 Kotauratla KGBV students fall ill due to food poisoning; 5 hospitalised

Thirty students of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) at Kotauratla in Anakapalli district fell ill on Saturday with suspected food poisoning. Five of them have been hospitalised as a result.

The students developed vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming food served at the residential school. Health department immediately opened a camp at the KGBV school for treating the students. However, five of them had to be shifted to the local Primary Health Centre (PHC), where they are recuperating under medical supervision.

A preliminary medical assessment has indicated that contaminated food is the likely cause of mass illness, although officials said the exact cause would be confirmed only after a detailed inquiry.

However, students said they had been served the food leftover from the lunch served to participants in the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting held on Friday.

Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who attended the Parent-Teacher Meeting and shared a meal with students on Friday, reviewed the situation after learning about the incident. She spoke to doctors and district officials over the phone and directed them to ensure that affected students receive proper medical care.

Samagra Shiksha project additional coordinator S. Sriramulu said a detailed inquiry has been ordered. He assured that appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible.

Parents have alleged that they had not been informed immediately after the students fell ill. They expressed concern over food safety at the school.

11 residential school students fall ill in Polavaram district

Eleven students of a residential school at Somalagudem in V.R. Puram mandal of Polavaram district fell ill after consuming food at the hostel on Saturday.

The students were admitted to the government hospital at Chinturu. Doctors said their condition was stable.

V.R. Puram mandal parishad president Karam Lakshmi visited the school and enquired about the health of the students. She found that some of them were suffering from diarrhoea and immediately alerted doctors, who provided treatment.

The students urged the mandal parishad president to ensure that the hostel’s septic tanks are cleaned and an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is posted at the hostel.

Headmaster suspended in ASR district for being drunk at PTM

Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district administration has suspended a teacher of the Tribal Welfare Government Primary School at Pinapadu village in Chintapalli mandal for allegedly attending the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) under the influence of alcohol.

According to officials, K.V. Ramana, Language Foundation Learning (LFL) headmaster, allegedly arrived at the school in an inebriated condition during Friday's PTM attended by parents and village elders.

Unable to conduct the meeting, he reportedly lost his balance and collapsed onto a bench. Following this, Ramu, Cluster Resource Person (CRP) of the Lothugedda School conducted the programme.

The incident drew protests from parents, who demanded disciplinary action against the headmaster.

Following their complaint, Tribal Welfare department officials initiated an inquiry. Based on their preliminary findings, district collector T. Nishanthi ordered Ramana's suspension.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the collector said government employees are expected to maintain discipline and uphold the highest standards of conduct while discharging their duties. She warned that negligence or misconduct would not be tolerated. Strict action would be taken against those found violating service rules.

Man dies by suicide; family alleges police harassment

A man from Nindujarla village in Atchampeta mandal of Palnadu district died by suicide after allegedly recording a selfie video accusing Atchampeta circle inspector Srinivasa Rao and police constable Suresh of harassment.

Following the incident, the deceased’s family members and relatives staged a protest at the government hospital in Sattenapalli, demanding action against the circle inspector and the constable.

The protesters later blocked the Guntur–Piduguralla road at Sattenapalli, reiterating their demand for action against the two police personnel.