BRS worker killed in Congress mob attack ahead of panchayat poll

A BRS worker was killed and several others injured when nearly 70 Congress supporters allegedly attacked BRS activists in Lingampalli, Nutankal mandal, hours before panchayat polling. Tension prevailed as police deployed additional forces across sensitive villages to prevent further violence.

Suryapet: Tension gripped Lingampalli village in Nutankal mandal on Wednesday after a violent clash between Congress and BRS supporters led to death of a BRS worker and injured several others, just hours before the polling commenced for the first phase of gram panchayat elections.

According to police and locals, a scuffle between the two groups escalated into a brutal attack when nearly 70 Congress workers allegedly assaulted BRS activists with sticks and stones. BRS activist Uppula Mallaiah, who sustained severe injuries, was being shifted to Hyderabad but died en route. BRS mandal president Munna Mallaiah Yadav and at least 15 others were also severely injured.

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BRS leaders accused Congress cadres of launching the attack out of fear of losing the sarpanch election. The incident triggered a heavy police deployment in the village.

The violence comes despite repeated warnings from Suryapet SP Narasimha, who had alerted forces anticipating trouble especially in the wake of a former sarpanch was murdered in the same village last year. The latest killing has heightened tensions ahead of polling in Suryapet, Atmakur, Nutankal, Maddirala, Tungathurthi, Arvapalli, Nagaram and Tirumalagiri mandals.

Police said additional forces have been stationed across sensitive areas to prevent further escalation.