Husband Katari Mohan seriously injured.
By Sreekanth A Nair
In a shocking incident, Katari Anuradha, Mayor of Chittoor Municipal Corporation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, was shot dead by a group of assailants at her office on Tuesday afternoon. Anuradha’s husband Katari Mohan was also seriously injured by the assailants.
Eyewitnesses said Anuradha was shot at point blank range on her left eye and forehead and died on the spot. Mohan was taken to the Chittoor general hospital and shifted to the Christian Medical College at Vellore, as his condition worsened.
According to reports, the assailants were five or six in number and had covered their faces with a mask. Anuradha came to her office at around 10.30 am in the morning. She was receiving grievances from locals when attacked.
The Times of India reported that the official bodyguard of the Mayor was on leave and the CCTV cameras in the office were also not working. The assailants managed to reach mayor’s office without suspicion. They started firing at Anuradha and when she collapsed, they moved to the adjacent room, where Mohan was sitting, and attacked him.
The assailants stabbed Mohan with a knife and he received deep injuries in the neck. After the attack, the assailants escaped. Police have recovered a pistol and a knife from the spot.
Some reports say that Anuradha was also stabbed to death.
The reason behind the attack is not known. It is said that both victims have several enemies.
Police have blocked the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border following reports that the attackers came from Karnataka state.
Zee news quoted Andhra Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R P Thakur saying, “As per preliminary information, the attack was carried out following a family dispute. An investigation has been launched and the truth will be revealed soon. The attackers belong to Karnataka and a hunt has been launched to nab them. We will catch them very soon.”
Two persons have reportedly surrendered before police. But there is no confirmation regarding their identity.
Anuradha, a leader of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is the first women mayor of Chittoor Municipal Corporation. Mohan is also a senior TDP leader. He had tried for the MLA ticket from Chittoor. This is the second attack on him.
Mohan is the prime accused in the case of attempt to murder CK Jayachandra Reddy, who is a former Chittoor MLA. Though Reddy escaped, his two gunmen were killed in the incident that happened a decade ago.
The Times of India quoted Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu as saying, “It is a heinous attack on a woman leader. The police will identify the culprits and bring them to book.”
Police beefed up security and issued prohibition order in the area as tension arose due to the attack. Some followers of the leaders have reportedly attacked some property of suspects.