Tamil Nadu youth’s death in custody in Chittoor sparks tension in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh

TIRUPATI: A suspected property offender from Red Hills area of neighbouring Tamil Nadu died allegedly in the custody of Satyavedu police in Chittoor district on Wednesday night. The death of the youth sparked rumours in the Red Hills area that the Satyavedu police might  harm the six other chain-snatchers who were already nabbed by them and a good number of people from there reached AP town leading to tension since Wednesday night.    Additional police forces were rushed to Satyavedu to meet any untoward incident.

According to police and locals, a couple were on their way to Satyavedu to attend a marriage on Wednesday. Before they entered the town, a four-member gang stopped their two-wheeler and snatched away their gold chains.The couple immediately informed their relatives and friends at the function hall about the incident and alerted them that the offenders were proceeding to the venue where they gathered for the wedding. The people at the function hall intercepted the four members travelling on two motorcycles but could catch hold of only one of them, identified as N Raji (24) while others fled.

Raji was allegedly thrashed by the mob and later handed over to the Satyavedu police. According to police, Raji, who was said to be suffering from some chronic illness, was shifted to hospital after he complained of uneasiness. Raji died while he was undergoing treatment.Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, another six-member gang of chain-snatchers from Red Hills area were also taken into custody by the police. It is said that the death of Raji sparked rumours that the six members of the gang might also face the same fate as he at the hands of the police. 

Against this backdrop, a large number of their relatives reached Satyavedu police station. Sensing trouble, additional forces were rushed to Satyavedu last night.Meanwhile, the parents of Raji told media that their son was suffering from chronic illness and he might have died due to stress from running away from trouble. However, locals said Raji was thrashed by by both police and the mob. A police constable also beat up Raji before being shifted to hospital, they allelged.

The situation became normal after Raji’s parents took away his body and the six members of the other gang were sent to judicial remand by the police.Meanwhile, according to report submitted by Tirupati sub-collector Kanaka Narasa Reddy, Raji did not bear any injuries, internal or external. However, loacl people said that he was thrashed by a group of people.