Seven Cong. men hacked to death by rivals

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR, MARCH 10. In a dastardly attack due to factional politics, seven persons, belonging to the Congress (I), were hacked to death by their rivals of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) at Atmakurubodu between Macherla and Durgi, 120 km away from here, in broad daylight on Saturday.

Both assailants and the victims were blood relatives. The factious group, led by Mr. Joolakanti Sambi Reddy, was attacked while they were travelling in a jeep to a police station in Veldurthi to append their signature, as a condition for their bail. They were accused in the murder of Hanimi Reddy, brother-in-law of J. Durgamba, the TDP MLA. Hanimi Reddy was brother of late Julakanti Nagi Reddy, husband of Durgamba. It was Nagi Reddy's faction that attacked these persons today.

While Sambi Reddy and his followers were proceeding in a jeep, they were hit by a lorry from the opposite direction. As soon as the passengers in the jeep fell down, the assailants jumped out of the lorry and attacked them with axes, sickles and other lethal weapons.

Joolakanti Sambi Reddy (42) and his son, Koti Reddy (20) were done to death on the spot. The attackers chased the others, who were running for safety into the adjoining farm fields, and inflicted grievous injuries on them, killing Kayithi Narayana Reddy (41), Pulusu Pedanagi Reddy (41) and Kayithi Nagi Reddy (32) in the farm fields. Another two persons - Nandiboyina Balavenkata Reddy (38) and Pulusu Venkata Reddy (44) - succumbed to their injuries at the Government hospital in Macherla. The condition of three others - Kayithi Chinanagi Reddy (35). Pallapolu Anji Reddy (28) and Pallapolu Venugopal Reddy (40) - who were admitted to the hospital, is said to be serious.

The differences which began in the form of village politics of Veldurthy took a nasty shape and both factions lost many from each side due to the factional war. In fact, both groups had made a truce and stuck to their ``commitment'' for quite some time. However, the factional violence began simmering once again with the killing of Hanimi Reddy in Macherla town last year.

Saturday's killings were said to be a retaliation to the killing of Hanimi Reddy.

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Section  : Southern States
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