Woman Hacks Husband to Death for Objecting to Excessive Phone Usage

Visakhapatnam:Annavaram police on Wednesday arrested a 35-year-old woman for killing her husband with an axe, following a quarrel over her mobile phone usage at Meduru village in Lothugedda panchayat, Alluri Sitarama Raju district. The victim, Korra Raja Rao, 42, died at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday morning, two days after the attack.

According to Annavaram sub-inspector G. Veera Babu, the couple had been involved in regular quarrels as Raja Rao objected to his wife's prolonged phone conversations, accusing her of neglecting household duties and their children.

On the night of December 8, the woman allegedly attacked her husband with an axe while he was asleep, inflicting severe injuries. He was first taken to a local hospital and later shifted to KGH, where he succumbed.

Police registered a case of murder and taken the accused into custody for further investigation.

Collector orders passenger-friendly upkeep of Kurnool RTC bus stand

Kurnool:District collector Dr A. Siri conducted a surprise inspection of the Kurnool RTC bus stand on Wednesday and directed officials to ensure the premises remain clean and passenger-friendly. She inspected the reservation counter, toilets, dormitory, drinking-water facilities, shops, hotels and the security wing.

The collector noticed damaged roof tiles at the entrance and instructed the APSRTC regional manager to repair them immediately to prevent accidents. Though toilets were found fairly maintained, she ordered further improvements in cleanliness and installation of a door at the entrance.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the poor condition of the dormitory, she directed staff to maintain hygiene and treat passengers politely. She also checked the drinking-water centre and ordered cleaning of the surrounding area as foul smell was emanating from behind it.

Shopkeepers were warned against selling expired or overpriced items. Dr Siri reviewed depot security checks and ensured that drivers were being tested with breath analysers. Passengers told the collector that the Stree Shakti scheme was useful and that basic amenities at the bus stand were satisfactory.

Inter student critical after slipping from hostel pipes

Tirupati:A second-year intermediate student at a private college in Agarala near Chandragiri was seriously injured on Tuesday night after slipping while attempting to climb down the hostel building using drainage pipes.

Police said the student, Mahidhar Reddy (17), tried to exit from a window and scale down the pipes when he lost his grip and fell. Security personnel around the same time noticed six other students attempting a similar act and stopped them.

Mahidhar, a native of Kalikiri mandal in Pileru constituency, sustained heavy bleeding from the ear, nose and mouth and fell unconscious. He was shifted to Amara Hospital in Tirupati, where he is undergoing treatment. His condition is stated to be critical.

2 ganja smugglers from TN get 3-year jail

Visakhapatnam:A Visakhapatnam court has sentenced two men from Tamil Nadu to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines of `5,000 each for smuggling ganja in May 2023.

Visakhapatnam 1st Additional District & Sessions Court Judge M. Venkata Narayana convicted Govindaraj Selvaraj, 30 and Rajamani, 32, both residents of Tiruvannamalai village and district in Tamil Nadu. The court also ordered an additional two months of ordinary imprisonment if the accused fails to pay the fine.

The case dates back to May 18, 2023, when Makavarapalem police, during a vehicle check at Kondala Agraharam Junction, arrested the duo from an RTC bus coming from Narsipatnam, when they tried to flee and seized 18 kg of ganja.

The accused admitted that they purchased the contraband from the agency area at the behest of Auto Bala and were transporting it to Tamil Nadu for distribution.

Sub-Inspector P. Ramakrishna made the arrest and the charge sheet filing were handled by SI D. Damodara Naidu.

Anakapalli police recover 750 stolen mobile phones worth `1.5 crore

Visakhapatnam:Anakapalli district police organised their 11th Mobile Recovery Mela on Wednesday, recovering 750 lost or stolen mobile phones valued at approximately `1.5 crore.

Superintendent of police Tuhin Sinha handed over the recovered devices to the owners.

Since the programme's inception in June 2022, the Anakapalli police have recovered a total of 4,086 mobile phones, worth approximately `6.77 crore.

This year alone, police recovered 1,880 phones valued at `3.70 crore and returned them to their owners through three separate recovery events.

The district's IT core team has recovered stolen devices not only from neighbouring districts like East Godavari, Anantapur, and Satya Sai, but also from other states, including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and Telangana.

The SP said, "In today's world, mobile is not just a device used for talking, it has become our personal identity," he said. "Our photos, banking details and important notes are all stored in it."

The SP said victims can file a complaint at the CEIR portal by entering their phone's IMEI number and model details under the 'Lost Mobile' option or by sending "Hi" to the Anakapalli police WhatsApp number 93469 12007 and following the automated link.

Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy promises completion in two months

Nellore:Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy laid the foundation stone for development works worth `50 lakh in RDT Colony here, fulfilling the promise he had made earlier. The funds will be used for constructing drains and culverts. The MLA announced that the works will be completed within two months and dedicated to the public.

He said the development works were launched on the day of slain social worker Penchalaiah’s memorial rituals as a mark of respect. It may be recalled that Penhalaiah, a resident of RDT Colony, was murdered by the gaja mafia a few days back. Sridhar Reddy assured that the CPM and he would continue to support Penchalaiah’s family in every possible way.

Speaking at the condolence meeting after visiting Penchalaiah’s family, the MLA said that the fight against ganja networks would be intensified. He emphasised that all political parties willing to join hands will be brought together to strengthen the anti-ganja movement.

He also stated that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is taking strict action across the state to curb ganja activities and that their fight against such groups will continue relentlessly.

CPM leader and former deputy mayor Madala Venkateshwarlu, TD leader Arava Srinivasulu, BJP leader Yarabolu Rajesh, Jana Sena leader Gunukula Kishore, and others participated in the event.

Habitual offender detained under PD Act in Kovvur

Nellore:Kovvur police have detained a habitual offender under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act for repeatedly engaging in rowdyism, land grabbing, financial fraud and ganja-related offences.

The accused, Ankem Raja (34) of Pothireddypalem village in Kovvur mandal, was arrested and lodged in jail on December 9. Police said he has been involved in multiple cases, including NDPS (ganja), extortion and assault, and was associated with the notorious Srikanth gang.

Officials said the action was taken as per government instructions to curb individuals who habitually threaten public safety and peace.

Kovvur CI Sudhakar Reddy issued a stern warning that rowdyism, intimidation, land grabbing and financial fraud would be dealt with firmly. He reminded that using, possessing, transporting or selling ganja is a serious criminal offence.

He appealed to the public to immediately report illegal activities and steer clear of those involved in crime, stating that stringent action will continue against rowdy elements, economic offenders and narcotics peddlers.

Students must know their fundamental rights: Judge

Kurnool:District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Secretary and Senior Civil Judge B. Leela Venkata Seshadri advised students to learn Articles 12 to 35 of the Constitution, which define fundamental rights.

Speaking at a programme organised by the DLSA at Cluster University on Wednesday to mark International Human Rights Day, he stressed the need for every student to understand their basic rights to protect themselves and others from violations.

He said Human Rights Day has been observed every year on December 10 since 1948 to raise awareness about civil and political rights. Rights violations have existed since ancient times, he noted, adding that women in India gained property rights only in 1986, and in 2005 the courts clarified that all citizens are equal before law without gender discrimination.

Judge Seshadri said honesty is the duty of every student, while ensuring proper functioning of public services is a citizen’s right. He urged them to reject corruption in all forms, including paying money to get work done. He also warned students to stay alert to cybercrimes, saying mobile phone misuse is increasing rapidly.

Deputy Legal Aid Defence Counsel Shivaram Chandrarao explained how citizens can approach the Human Rights Commission in case of violations. Vice-Principal Dr. B.R. Prasad Reddy and other faculty members encouraged students to be vigilant and question rights violations. Prizes were handed over to winners of essay competitions, and posters on Human Rights Day were released.

NMU state mahasabha to address worker welfare issues on December 12

Vijayawada:The National Mazdoor Unity Association (NMU) will hold its second state-level Mahasabha on December 12 at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada, with leaders urging workers from across Andhra Pradesh to participate in large numbers.

State association president P.V. Ramana Reddy and general secretary Y. Srinivasa Rao announced that the gathering will focus on critical issues affecting public transport sector employees, including promotions, filling of vacancies, implementation of the Old Pension System (OPS), and procurement of new buses.

The association, which works to safeguard the rights and welfare of public transport workers, will also address the continuation of service conditions from the previous road transport corporation under the current public transport department structure. A total of 23 issues are slated for discussion during the Mahasabha.

"Workers should attend in large numbers to make this event a success," the association leaders stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.

The event will feature the election of a new state committee, followed by detailed deliberations on worker concerns. Resolutions passed during the meeting will be submitted to the state government for consideration.

State transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy will grace the occasion as the chief guest. Ministers Kinjarapu Acchannaidu and Payyavula Keshav are expected to attend as distinguished guests, while Member of Parliament Kesineni Sivanath has been invited as a special guest.