Khammam: A Congress leader and former sarpanch, Surampalli Rama Rao was attacked and stabbed with knives by unidentified miscreants at Konijerla in the district during early hours on Thursday.
Rama Rao suffered severe bleeding injuries in his stomach. He was first shifted to Khammam and later to Hyderabad for treatment. His condition was said to be critical. Three persons wearing masks and gloves, carrying knives and spears were said to be involved in the attack.The family members were suspecting that the attackers have conducted a recce prior to carrying out the attack. The attack took place inside Rama Rao’s residence when he came out to attend nature’s call. The attackers were said to have entered the house beforehand and hid themselves.
On hearing the shouts of Rama Rao, the family members and the locals rushed to his rescue and at that time the attackers fled the spot. Before attacking the Congress leader, the assailants have changed the alignment of CCTV cameras to prevent the incident from getting recorded.On learning about the incident police rushed to the village, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 and set up a picket to prevent untoward incidents.
It was said that the police took the suspects into custody for questioning and the investigation is underway.
Rama Rao was also attacked by some persons during the last Assembly elections. The family members want the police to investigate the case from a political angle. Rama Rao recently headed a panchayati involving property dispute and it was suspected that aggrieved parties might be behind the incident.