On Monday, September 23, unidentified men attacked a journalist with knives and sticks in Andhra Pradesh’s Ongole district. Presently, he is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chirala. 

The incident took place at Chinaganjam, while M Nagarjuna Reddy was returning from Ongole to Chirala at night, after meeting with police officials at the office of the district superintendent of police (SP).

What Happened?

Nagarjuna works for a vernacular daily at Vetapalem town. He was returning on a two-wheeler when unidentified assailants attacked him from behind in Kundooru village near Chinnaganjam between 6.30 pm and 7.00 pm. Locals found him with injuries near Kothapet KSR handlooms, and took him to Chirala government hospital. He was later taken to a private hospital in the town. 

A case has been registered by police based on Nagarjuna Reddy’s statement. Reddy had gone to district SP’s office regarding a social boycott case in Ramchandrapuram of Vetapalem mandal. 

In 2017, Reddy was chased and thrashed in full public view on the streets of Chirala, by then TDP MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan’s brother, Amanchi Swamulu, and other aides, for writing about illegal sand mining by Amanchi.

Reddy, earlier this year, had complained to district police officers and sought protection, claiming that he was facing death threats from the former MLA Amanchi Krishna.

Amanchi Krishna Mohan had shifted from TDP to YSRCP before the assembly elections. He had lost to TDP’s Karanam Balaram. It is alleged that it was revenge attack by Amanchi on Nagarjuna Reddy with YSRCP coming to power.

Chirala rural Police Inspector confirmed that a case has been registered at Inkollu police station with regard to the recent attack, The News Minute reported. 

Condemning the incident, former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu said, “If anyone exposes the corrupt practices of YSRCP, there is a situation prevailing where they may lose their lives.”

“Attack on Nagarjuna Reddy is brutal. Will they attack anyone who exposes the corrupt practices? If he was really attacked while coming back after giving representation to the SP, what are the police doing?” he added.

వైసీపీ ప్రభుత్వంలో పాలకుల అక్రమాలు బయటపెడితే ప్రాణాలు పోయే పరిస్థితి ఉంది. చీరాల విలేఖరి నాగార్జున రెడ్డిపై వైసీపీ నేతలు చేసిన దాడి అమానుషం. అక్రమాలు బయటపెడితే కక్షగడతారా? పదేపదే దాడి చేస్తారా? ఎస్పీకి వినతి పత్రం ఇచ్చి వస్తుంటే దాడి చేసారంటే పోలీసులు ఏం చేస్తున్నారు? pic.twitter.com/taM49l6g5u

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 24, 2019

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