The car of Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and Araku Lok Sabha Constituency Congress nominee Kishore Chandra Deo was badly damaged and a Sub-Inspector of Police was injured in an attack by the followers of Congress ticket aspirant, who failed to get the party ticket, at Araku in the agency area of the district on Thursday.
Mr. Deo was going in his car from Araku towards Paderu to file his nomination for the Lok Sabha constituency. His car was crossing Araku when supporters of Setti Gangadhara Swamy, an aspirant for the Congress ticket for Araku Valley Assembly segment, stopped his vehicle and attacked it with sticks.
At the same time, some YSR Congress activists were also passing by in a rally. The police, who tried to bring the situation under control, were also beaten up by the attackers and in the process YSRC activists were also injured and they retaliated. Araku SI was reported to be seriously injured in the attack.
Mr. Deo managed to escape unhurt and proceeded towards Paderu. “The YSRC activists were going in a procession and some women climbed on the bonnet of my car. The party activists damaged my windscreen with sticks. Had the glass broken, they would have killed me. When this is the way they behave, the plight of the people can be imagined if that party comes to power,” Mr. Deo told The Hindu over the phone.