A heavy vehicle, carrying paper bundles from Mandapeta of East Godavari district to Raipur in Chhattisgarh, caught fire at around 4.20 a.m. on Monday.
According to ASP Adnan Nayeem Asmi, there was no proof of any Maoist activity or torching the truck by others. The ASP said that, a 12-tyre truck with 49 paper bundles from Sameera Paper Limited, Mandapeta, was proceeding to Sukurit Papers, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday night.
When it reached Lakkavaram Junction under Mothugudem police station limits, one of the front tyres burst. The driver lost control and the lorry caught fire. Driver K. Kutumba Rao and cleaner jumped out as the fire engulfed the vehicle.
ADVERTISEMENT
The ASP said the driver Kutumbarao had informed his owner D. Srinivasa Rao of Sameera Papers over phone that the lorry was set ablaze by three persons.
The Chinturu police inspector said that the driver fabricated the story and he was booked.
ADVERTISEMENT