9 held for attack on Rao

HYDERABAD: Police on Saturday arrested nine persons, in connection with recent ‘attack’ on state handlooms minister P Shankar Rao at L B Nagar area. According to police, out of the 20 persons involved in the attack, nine persons have been arrested and others were absconding.LB Nagar police said that they arrested nine persons based on photographs published in newspapers and video footage broadcast on various TV channels. The arrested include Sudhir Reddy, Appaiah, Mohammed, Hymath, Paparao, Sadith, Rafiq, Saleem Khan and Babumiya. The residents of NTR Nagar here, alleged supporters of home minister PSabitha Reddy, had earlier on December 20 obstructed the convoy and raised slogans against Shankar Rao and threw eggs and tomatoes on him, while he was on his way to visit one Jehangir, a ‘rowdy-sheeter’ who had filed a case in connection with a land dispute.The locals were apparently angry over the minister visiting the residence of Jehangir, whom they claimed was a land-grabber.The windowpanes of his Innova car were damaged in the attack. The police quickly shifted the minister to NIMS hospital.Jehangir’s wife Razia Sultana lodged a complaint with LB Nagar police alleging that the supporters of Sabita Reddy attacked the minister, herself and her family members.A case was booked under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC. A counter complaint was lodged by one Kondal Reddy of Kothapet against the family of Jehangir and cases were booked under Sections 147, 148 (rioting) and 324 (voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons) of the IPC.