Airports Come Under Centre, Not State: CM Naidu on Attack on Reddy

Jagan Mohan Reddy was attacked on 25 October at the Vishakhapatnam airport.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

Video Producer: Fabeha Syed

In the light of the attack on YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thusday, 25 October, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that had the incident had taken place outside the airport, it would have been the state government’s responsibility. Stressing that airports come under the central government, Naidu pointed “who is responsible”.

“The injured person immediately left for Hyderabad. How can an investigation be done in a neighbouring state? The attacker had written a letter against the state government, he had erected flexes as a fan [of Reddy’s]. How should this be understood?

N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

Reddy was attacked at the Visakhapatnam airport on Thursday, 25 October. The attacker, who stabbed Reddy on his left arm with a knife, has been identified as an airport employee named Srinivas and detained.

According to The Indian Express, the man approached Reddy to take a selfie, and then suddenly attacked him.

Reddy is undergoing treatment at Omega Hospital in Hyderabad, ANI reported.

Reddy has been admitted to Omega Hospital in Hyderabad where he is undergoing treatment. (Photo: ANI)

“The youth also asked Reddy if YSRCP will win 160 seats in elections next year. After clicking a selfie he turned around and slashed with a blade that is usually used in cockfights. The youth was immediately taken into custody,” an official told The Indian Express.

A native of Amalapuram, Srinivas is employed with the airport canteen, reportedly run by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Harsha Vardhan, YSR Congress said in a statement said. The party also alleged that there was a “major security lapse” at the airport.

Special Investigation Team Formed

“The state government has formed a special investigation team with one ACP and two inspectors to investigate the incident”, said Mahendra Patrudu, ADCP, Visakhapatnam.

The director of Visakhapatnam Airport told the media that police have inspected the site of the incident and the situation is under control with all operations are normal.

Reddy Condemns Attack

Following the attack, Reddy in a tweet assured that he was safe and condemned the attack on himself. “Such cowardice acts will not dissuade me but only strengthen my resolve to work for the people of my state,” Reddy said in the tweet.

Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu also condemned the “cowardly attack” and tweeted that he had directed authorities to punish the guilty.

Reddy is the Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and is the son of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.