The Vijayawada police on Monday arrested two followers of senior YSR Congress party leaders in connection with the collision of five boats with the gates of Prakasam Barrage on Krishna river in the wee hours of September 2.
The police announced that Kukkalagadda Ushadri, relative and follower of YSRCP leader Talasila Raghuram and Komatireddy Rammohan, supposedly follower of former Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh, based on the call data records of the boat owners.
The boats, which were painted blue, white and green colours of YSRCP, collided with the gates – 67, 69 and 70. Each boat was supposedly weighing 40-50 tonnes and costing Rs 40-50 lakh.
“Fortunately, the boats hit the counterweight without causing any damage to the main structure or the gates of the barrage. It is difficult to imagine how much damage would be done to the five districts if the gates or the main structure had really been hit,” state irrigation minister said.
On Saturday, Vijayawada Town-I police registered a case following a complaint lodged by irrigation department’s executive engineer Krishna Rao suspecting possible sabotage behind the damage caused to the counterweight.
Ramanaidu said three special teams have been formed to identify the owners of the boats.
“The investigation is going on. Prima facie, it appears to be a conspiracy. We are not going to leave anyone in this regard,” he warned.
