Unidentified miscreants pelted the car of a ruling YSR Congress MLA with stones in Amaravati on Tuesday, 7 January, even as farmers in the region organised a road blockade demanding that the Andhra Pradesh government drop the move to shift the state capital.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supported the farmers' agitation while the YSRC alleged that the "opposition party goons" were responsible for the attack on MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy.
"It is a case of attempt to murder on our legislator. TDP president Chandrababu Naidu is a known anti-social element and he is trying to disturb peace in the state," Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha alleged while talking to reporters.
“Why is he creating ruckus for Amaravati? There is nothing in there. He himself said that Rs 1.1 lakh crore is needed to develop Amaravati. Does our financial condition allow to spend Rs 1.1 lakh crore?”Assam Deputy Chief Minister Amzath Basha
Reacting to the attack on him, MLA Ramakrishna Reddy said it was a "clear conspiracy."
“In the guise of farmers, the TDP henchmen attacked me and my security personnel with sticks and stones and damaged my car. But we will not be cowed down by such attacks.”MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy
No injured were reported in the attack however the legislator's SUV's windshields were broken.
Meanwhile, police detained several TDP leaders, including legislators, as they tried to proceed to China Kaakani to take part in the National Highway blockade in solidarity with the agitating farmers.
TDP MLC Nara Lokesh, MLA Nimmala Ramanaidu and former minister Kollu Ravindra were taken into custody and taken to far-off Thotlavalluru police station.
We have taken them into custody in view of the prevailing tension on the NH, as the leaders prepared to go there, police said.
The TDP alleged that several of its leaders were placed under house-arrest since morning to prevent them from taking part in the farmers' agitation.
MPs Galla Jayadev, Kesineni Srinivas, former ministers D U Rao, N Anand Babu, former MLA Y Srinivasa Rao and others were placed under house-arrest.
A large posse of police was posted on the NH-16 near China Kaakani as the farmers staged the road blockade.
State Education Minister A Suresh was caught in the traffic jam, following which police forcibly evicted the protesting farmers and took them away to nearby police stations.
"There is information that some anti-social elements may cause trouble during the agitation and hence we have not permitted the road blockade," Guntur Range Inspector General of Police Vineet Brijlal said in a statement.
In the villages in Amaravati region, farmers and their families continued their protest for the 22nd day on Tuesday, opposing the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government's move to relocate the state capital to Visakhapatnam.
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