RAJAVOLU: A reporter of a Telugu daily, Y Viswanatham, faced the wrath of a villager, for allegedly taking the pictures of his house renovated with the funds diverted from the Indiramma Housing scheme at Rajavolu under Rajahmundry Rural mandal on Monday.
According to sources, Raju, a driver of former sarpanch of Rajavolu, and his followers attacked Viswanatham causing severe injuries to him. Later, they tied him to an electric pole and inflicted burn injuries on his body using the silencer of a two-wheeler.
Viswanatham stated in his police complaint that Raju drew some amount under the pretext of constructing a house under the Indiramma Housing scheme. However, he used the amount for carrying out repairs to a house already owned by him.
He said Raju and his followers had snatched his camera and the cellphone. Dowleswaram police registered cases against Raju and his followers under Sections 324, 323, 384, 341 and 506 of IPC.
Meanwhile, Raju also lodged a complaint against the reporter alleging that the latter had abused him in the name of his caste. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Rajahmundry Press Club organised a procession and staged a dharna in front of the Sub- Collector’s Office. They raised slogans demanding the arrest of the accused. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the RDO.
