JAGTIAL: Masquerading as journalists, three policemen working in the Andhra Pradesh Intelligence wing were caught “red-handed” by the locals and TRS party workers in Dharmapuri town after they were reportedly conducting surveys for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
Though they were handed over to the local police, they were let off after verifying their identities. Three more AP policemen were said to have fled.
The TRS has been claiming that AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had deployed about 100 AP intelligence officers to tour Assembly constituencies in TS in the name of surveys.
The trio, identified as Narayan Reddy, Madhu and Satyanarayana Reddy arrived in the temple town of Dharmapuri in Jagtial district a week ago. They took shelter in the local TTD cottages under the name of one Uppula Ramakistaiah. The policemen conducted a survey for three days among the devotees by introducing themselves as journalists. In the survey conducted mainly along the banks of Godavari river, in hotels and bus stations, the questions pertained to the devotees’ choice of party in the upcoming elections, their political leanings and so on.
On Friday evening, during one such survey at Boyadwada in Dharmapuri, locals who grew suspicious of their activities questioned the constables. This led to an argument between them.
Later local TRS leaders, TRS state youth wing secretary general were informed of the matter.