Andhra Pradesh

A YSRCP youth leader has been hacked to death on quite a busy main road of Vinukonda town in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district.

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The deceased, identified as Sheikh Rashid, 27, was the YSRCP’s youth wing secretary for Palnadu district.

As per police officials, he was attacked on Wednesday night (July 17) with a sickle, allegedly by one Sheikh Jilani.

Police said an argument related to a real estate deal was the motive behind the killing. Police are searching for the accused, who is on the run.

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An alleged video of the physical attack has been doing the rounds on social media. The assault lasted for five minutes on the busy road in full view of dozens of people. 

Jilani, who appeared to be intoxicated, kept attacking Rashid with the sickle even after he fell to the floor in a semi-conscious state.

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Rashid was taken to the hospital by the police, where doctors declared him dead. 

YSRCP leader Sajjala Bharghava Reddy alleged that the murder was the result of political rivalry and claimed that the accused, Jilani, is a member of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

However, Palnadu Superintendent of Police (SP) K Srinivasa Rao dismissed the possibility of political rivalry. "They knew each other and had fallout over some personal issues. We have started a thorough investigation," the SP said. 

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Officers at the Vinukonda police station indicated that the dispute stemmed from a failed real estate deal.

It may be mentioned here that Palnadu witnessed post-poll violence this year as TDP and YSRCP workers attacked each other due to political rivalry.

(With inputs from agencies)