Andhra Pradesh   

Former Chittoor MLA survives bid on life

Special Correspondent.

Gunman, an assailant and a municipal employee killed in gun-battle

TIRUPATI: Congress leader and former MLA of Chittoor C.K.Babu, survived an attempt on his life on Friday when a gang of eight unidentified assailants tried to storm his party office and shoot him down.

He, however, escaped narrowly when his followers overpowered and threw out an assailant who aimed a revolver at him. Those inside the room flung a steel chair, and whatever they could lay their hand on at the assailant.

The intruder was later killed in a gun-battle that ensued outside the room. The identity of the person killed is yet to be established. Two others killed were Mr. Babu's gunman Hussain Basha and an electrical supervisor in the Chittoor Municipal Office Navarasam.

Two vehicles

Sources said the gang members came in two vehicles. While one of them reportedly barged into the former MLA's room, others were engaged in a battle with security guards in the office compound. The gang, however, gave up and fled the scene when three of its members sustained bullet injuries, one of them seriously. They bodily lifted their wounded accomplice and dumped him in the vehicle before speeding away. One of the cars they used was later found abandoned at the Ring-Road Circle.

None of the assailants was arrested nor had their identities been established so far. Inspector-General of Police (Rayalaseema) Sambasiva Rao and DIG (Anantapur Circle) Jayarama Reddy, camping at Tirupati in connection with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's visit, immediately rushed to Chittoor. SP of Chittoor Charu Sinha is supervising the investigation.

The Chief Minister later spoke to Mr. Babu from the Tirupati helipad before taking off. Section 144 Cr PC has been clamped on the town which observed a voluntary bandh immediately.

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