Recalling the horrific assault, Rao said that he was on a story about illegal sand mafia in the Malladi sand reach. Rao said that on his way back home, goons affiliated with the ruling YSRCP attacked him and punched him in the chest and face leading to physical injuries to him. He said the accused also tried to set him on fire with petrol.
Amaravati: In a shocking case of attack on a journalist, members of the sand mafia believed to be affiliated with the ruling YSRCP on Wednesday allegedly assaulted and attempted to kill Telaprolu Parameshwara Rao, a contributor working with ‘NewsToday’ by trying to set him on fire while he was on professional duty in Amaravati Mandal of Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh.
Rao said that on Wednesday morning, he was on a story on illegal sand mining in Malladi sand reach where he took pictures for the story. While on his way back, goons affiliated with the ruling YSRCP led by Vempa Srinu and his followers including Tulsi Tirupathi Rao, Bhavirishetti Sunil, Bhavirishetti and Nageswara Rao chased him and attacked him without any provocation, Rao said.
He said that the goons pushed him down and punched him in the chest and face leading causing him physical injuries. Rao said that the assault was so severe that he stopped breathing for some time. Rao, who somehow escaped from the captivity, was talking to the police on the phone. While he was on the call, the goons came running, grabbed the cell phone, and attacked him again, he said.
