YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sustained an injury when a waiter at a restaurant stabbed him with a knife at the airport here on Thursday.
Mr. Jagan, who is touring Vizianagaram district as part of his Praja Sankalpa Yatra, was at the airport to go to Hyderabad as he had to attend a court on Friday. The security personnel were near the entrance, when the waiter identified as J. Srinivasa Rao brought him a cup of tea.
Seeking Mr. Jagan’s permission for a selfie, he stabbed him on his shoulder with a knife normally used in cock-fights. The YSRCP leaders overpowered and handed him over to the police. After first aid, Mr. Jagan left for Hyderabad.
Airport Director G. Prakash Reddy said in a statement the attack took place when the Leader of the Opposition was scheduled to leave by a flight at 1.05 p.m.
He was at the VIP Lounge when the waiter attacked him causing a minor injury, the Director said. Mr. Jagan left as per his schedule, he said.
Party leaders and workers staged a protest near the airport and stopped vehicles transporting the Indian and the West Indies cricketers. The protesters were dispersed by the police and the cricket teams were escorted to the airport.
SIT formed
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) with Nageswara Rao, ACP, and two Inspectors was formed on the instructions of DGP R.P. Thakur for a thorough investigation, Addl. DCP Mahendra Praturdu told the media.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Srinivasa Rao of East Godavari district, an admirer of Mr. Jagan, had committed the act for publicity.
An attempt to murder case was registered against him, said ACP (West Zone) L. Arjun.
The police said their responsibility was only up to the entrance as the airport was under the CISF control.
“There was a 10-page letter in the pocket of the accused which is in the possession of the CISF. We can comment only after seeing the content,” said the police. The restaurant is reportedly owned by a TDP leader.