TDP candidate injured as cop opens fire to save him

A TDP candidate and a policeman were injured accidentally when his security guard fired in the air in Andhra Pradesh's Kaggallu village on Saturday to disperse YSRCP activists allegedly attacking him, police said.

The incident occurred when Thikka Reddy, a candidate of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Mantralayam Assembly constituency, had gone to the village to hoist the party flag as part of his election campaign.

However, supporters of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and sitting MLA Balanagi Reddy tried to stop the TDP leader and his followers. This led to a clash between the two groups, police said.

Thikka Reddy's security guard opened fire in the air in which bullets accidentally hit the TDP leader and an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police. Both received bullet injuries in their legs and were shifted to a hospital.

The incident led to tension in the village. Additional police forces were rushed to prevent further violence.

Elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly are scheduled along with the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 11.

--IANS

ms/mag/bg