HYDERABAD, 25 January 2005 — Unidentified assailants gunned down Paritala Ravi, a prominent leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), at Anantapur town in Andhra Pradesh yesterday.
Director General of Police Swaranjot Sen told reporters here that Ravi was attacked while coming out of the TDP office after attending a meeting. Ravi, who represented Penugonda constituency of Anantapur district, died on the spot.
Ravi, who was accused in many criminal cases in the faction-ridden Rayalaseema region, had recently sought additional police protection fearing a threat to his life.
Tension prevailed in the town as shopkeepers hurriedly downed their shutters and Ravi’s supporters went on a rampage, setting fire to shops and attacking a police station. Dozens of state-owned buses were also burned.
Blaming the Congress government for the murder, TDP activists set ablaze buses and attacked ruling party leaders in various parts of the state.
Incidents of violence were reported from Anantapur, Cuddapah, Karimnagar, Ranga Reddy and Warangal districts.
The police chief said two companies of armed policemen were being sent to Anantapur and Cuddapah district.
As the news about the attack spread, TDP president and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu went into a huddle with his colleagues in Hyderabad.
Ever since the Congress took over the reins of the state in May last year, the Rayalaseema region, especially Anantapur district, has been witnessing a series of political attacks targeting TDP members.
