SRIKAKULAM: The police Monday arrested six persons in connection with the murder attempt on former sarpanch G Appanna of PL Devipeta in the district on Saturday. Appanna, who was shot twice by the accused, is out of danger and is undergoing treatment at RIMS.
Srikakulam DSP Bhargava Rao Naidu told newsmen that Appanna, Chinthada Balaram, Vandana Kaminaidu and Karanam Tulasi were all TDP leaders in PL Devipeta. Appanna was supported by the rest to win the elections for the post of sarpanch in 2006. However, differences arose between them when Appanna did not favour them in government contracts, and the accused supported another person in 2014 which led to factions between the two groups within TDP in the village.
About three months ago, Appanna lodged a complaint with the Burja police against Balaram alleging that the latter tried to murder him. However, police investigations revealed that Appanna filed a false complaint and arranged for a murder attempt on himself by paying another person. The police warned Appanna of severe action if he resorted to such things again and let him off.
However, an angry Balaram took the false allegations against him seriously and decided to murder him. With the help of his friend Savara Simhadri, Balaram hired hunting guns from one Jeelakarra Satyam from Kadagandi panchayat in Sitampeta. Police said that Balaram was provoked by Kaminaidu, Tulasi, and Gedala Venkataramana to attack Appanna who survived the incident. The police arrested all the six accused and presented them in the court.