Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was infuriated by the killings in the backdrop of the clashes between the TDP MLC and MLA factions in Vemavaram in Prakasam district. He said that nobody has right to take law in hands and ordered DGP to immediately start the investigation and take subsequent action accordingly. The factions of MLC Karanam Balaram Krishna Murthy and Prakasam district Addanki MLA Gottipati RaviKumar clashed over personal feud.

As the incident unfolds, the supporters of Balaram – Gorantla Venkateswarulu, Anjaiah (48), Peraiah, Yoginati Ramakoteswara Rao (40), Muthyalala Rao and Veera Raghavulu were returning on two bikes after attending a marriage in Rajupalem village in Vemavaram. As the group reached the village intersection, Malempati Venkateshwarulu, Gottipati Maruthi, Shakamuri Sitaiah and 40 others allegedly attacked the people coming on bikes with sticks. As the bikes slowed down at the speed breaker, RaviKumar group sprinkled chilli powder, severely injured them with sticks and absconded from the incident site. The victims were initially transferred to hospital in Chilkaluripeta. But later as they were being shifted to Guntur for better treatment, Ramakoteswara Rao and Anjaiah expired.

RaviKumar, defected from YSRCP to TDP more than year ago. There has been a long-drawn faction vendetta, evident from the killings and bomb attacks between Gottipati and Karnam Family.

Balram’s son Venkatesh reacting to the incident said that RaviKumar is provoking people and said that the deceased, worked for TDP for three decades. He said the real custodians of TDP are being brutally murdered.

Following the killings, police have been heavily deployed in Ballikurava. They also apparently detained three people and the search is in progress in Vemavaram for the lawbreakers.