The Hindu : Front Page : Chittoor ex-MLA survives bid on life

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Saturday, Feb 10, 2007
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Chittoor ex-MLA survives bid on life

Special Correspondent.

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

CLOSE SHAVE: C.K. Babu coming out in Chittoor on Friday after the assassination attempt.

TIRUPATI: C.K. Babu, former MLA of Chittoor, 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.

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 (Ambassador) 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 after the incident. Police pickets have been posted at all vulnerable spots to check any possible backlash.

`Seven attempts'

Later, Mr. Babu said at a press conference at his residence that though his rivals had made seven attempts on his life so far, he survived all only because of the blessings of the Lord and the good wishes of his friends and followers.

Giving a brief account of the incident, Mr. Babu said he remained shell-shocked inside his room for nearly 20 minutes when the gun-battle was on outside. When I came out later I saw the bodies lying outside, he said.

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