The mayor of Chittoor municipal corporation, Katari Anuradha, was killed and her husband critically injured when a group of men shot and stabbed them on Tuesday.
The attack took place around noon when Anuradha and her husband Katari Mohan were in her chamber at the municipal corporation building in Chittoor town, the headquarters of Chittoor district bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Reports said three to five men barged into the chamber and opened fire at point black range before attacking the couple with knives. The attackers then fled the scene after jumping a gate.
Anuradha who sustained severe injuries on her face and abdomen died on her way to hospital. The mayor, aged around 50, belonged to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Mohan was taken to the Christian Medical College hospital in Vellore in Tamil Nadu where his condition is stated to be serious.
It is believed that the attack – which seemed pre-planned and well coordinated - was primarily to target Mohan and that the men were hired killers from Karnataka.
“As per preliminary information, the attack was carried out following a family dispute. An investigation has been launched and the truth will be revealed soon, DIG (Anantapur range) K Satyanarayana told PTI.
Some of the weapons used in the attack were recovered from the spot. Though local media reported that two of the assailants surrendered at the town police station, this was not confirmed by police officials.
{{/usCountry}}Some of the weapons used in the attack were recovered from the spot. Though local media reported that two of the assailants surrendered at the town police station, this was not confirmed by police officials.
{{/usCountry}}Chittoor which has a history of political violence and faction feuds is the home district of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.
“The incident is highly deplorable. A woman mayor murdered in her office is appalling. This seems to be the work of hardcore criminals. We will not spare anyone who is involved,” Naidu told reporters in Vijayawada.
Mohan’s supporters later ransacked the office and properties of his brother-in-law Chandrasekhar alias Chintu, who they alleged was behind the attack.
(With inputs from PTI)