Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011804340600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Police open fire on mob at Salur; two killed

By Our Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM. JAN. 17. Two persons were killed and two others suffered bullet wounds when police opened fire on a mob at Salur this afternoon.

The victims were identified as Thavudu and Kotla Appa Rao.

According to the Salur Town Sub-Inspector, V. Venkata Appa Rao, the rural police took 15 persons into custody foe gambling. Demanding their release, a strong crowd staged a sit-in dharna on the road disrupting traffic.

When the police tried to disperse them, the crowd reportedly forced the closure of shops and cinema theatres in the vicinity. The police then fired smoke bombs but the mob pelted stones at them, injuring six policemen.

At this point police opened fire on the mob resulting in the death of the two persons and injuries to two others, he added. The Superintendent of Police, Swathi Lakra, and the Parvathipuram Sub-Collector, Christina Z. Chongthu, were in Salur and the situation was said to be under control.