SIT formed to probe stone pelting on Naidu's bus during Amaravati tour

The Andhra Pradesh police on Sunday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged attack on Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu during his tour of the capital Amaravati. The police also refuted allegations that their personnel were also involved in the attack.

Stones were pelted at the convoy of the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister during a visit to Amaravati on Thursday over developments works stalled in the state capital after YSRCP came to power six months ago.

Stating that the windscreen of the bus was already cracked before the tour began, the police also said that they had taken two people into custody for pelting footwear and small stones. The two accused were booked at Thulluru police station and served notice under Section 41 of the CrPC.

Speaking to reporters, South Coastal Zone, Guntur Range Inspector General, Vinit Brijlal said that the SIT would be headed by an Additional-SP rank officer and will also probe any negligence or delinquency of police personnel, that may have led to security lapses. The police officer said that 207 police officers and staff had been deployed to ensure security for Naidu during the tour.

Tension prevailed near Rayapudi on the Seed Access Road on Thursday when the convoy of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief came under attack from a group protesting against his visit. The protesters, who were holding black flags and raising slogans of 'Naidu go back', pelted stones and threw slippers on the bus in which Naidu was travelling with other party leaders. There were no reports of anybody being injured.

Additional police forces were rushed to the area to prevent any untoward incident.

TDP leaders alleged that ruling party workers pelted the stones. However, YSRCP leaders denied the allegation and pointed out that a section of farmers were opposing Naidu's visit over compensation due for land acquired from them.

Alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy "destroyed" Amaravati, Naidu said the World Bank, Singapore Consortium and others have pulled out of Amaravati project. "Jagan Mohan Reddy is destroying future of five crore people of Andhra Pradesh," he alleged.

IANS inputs