Attack on Jagan: NTR police investigate a murder investigation and hold 16 people on suspicion

The NTR district police filed a case under IPC Section 307 (punishment for attempt to murder) on the basis of a complaint from Velampalli Srinivasa Rao, West MLA and YSRC candidate for Central constituency, one day after a stone was thrown at Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy during his “Memanta Siddham” bus yatra on Saturday.

Up to sixteen people have been detained on suspicion of being engaged in the assault on the head of the YSRC.

DGP Kasireddy Rajendranath Reddy said in an interview with TNIE on Sunday that NTR district commissioner of police (CP) Kanthi Rana Tata has assembled six special teams, each with around 20 cops from different wings, to look into the matter thoroughly. He also said that an aerial reconnaissance of the area was carried out. Drone cameras and the dog squad have also been sent in to gather information from the site of the event.

He clarified that, after the incident, a conference was held with all commissioners and SPs to discuss security. “All CPs and SPs have been instructed to beef up security cover for Jagan during his poll campaign,” he said. Authorities have been told to send out more police officers at night.

A preliminary inquiry report on the event has been given to Mukesh Kumar Meena, the chief election officer, the DGP further said.

NTR district CP Kanthi Rana Tata provided additional details about the incident, stating that the scene at the Sri Vivekananda School was recreated as part of the investigation based on the complaint from Vellampalli Srinivasa Rao and claims made by YSRC leaders that the Chief Minister was attacked with an air gun or sling shot.

Rana said, “The accused might be a resident of the same area,” raising the possibility that the occurrence was a playful prank. We are making every effort to find the people responsible for the event. Moreover, he said that none of the security staff had been careless.

The CP provided more details on the inquiry, stating that in order to identify the accused, CCTV video from all surrounding homes and businesses was gathered and forwarded to the command center. He clarified that the cell phone data and call data dump from the Dhaba Kottu center, the scene of the event, are being examined by intelligence personnel.

Rana further emphasized that on Saturday, before to Jagan’s cavalcade arriving in Vijayawada, two police officers from the intelligence department and special branch carried out a field security surveillance.

It has been reported that since electricity was cut off during Jagan’s tour, police are having trouble obtaining CCTV video from key locations. Policemen said that the electricity was turned off because Jagan, who greets people atop his wagon during his campaigns, may be in danger from live wires.