Kadapa police to seek cancellation of TDP spokesperson’s gun licence after alleged firing in Nandalur

Shots allegedly fired into the air by a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader during a clash in the nomination phase for the ZPTC and MPTC elections in Nandalur mandal of Kadapa district on October 22 have left the TDP in a piquant situation and the ruling NDA embarrassed.

TDP spokesperson Koduru Balasubramanyam, a Tirupati-based medical professional, reportedly fired several rounds in the air when his group members clashed with a rival gang led by Yeddula Sagar during the nomination phase on October 22.

The Rajampet sub-divisional police rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control, seized the weapon and arrested eight persons involved in the melee. Mr. Balasubramanyam was admitted to a hospital, citing a rib fracture.

Though licensed weapons have to be deposited with the police when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect, the doctor has apparently kept the department guessing by carrying it to a troublesome spot.

Licensed, but not recorded?

Mr. Balasubramanyam had actually obtained the licence following due procedure from the Tirupati district Collector, citing security reasons, and purchased a weapon. But the procedure mandates the person to share details of the weapon with the Collectorate, which will have to be recorded and then passed on to the police department for further monitoring.

This latter part has not been done in this case. Since the procedure has not been taken to its logical end, the department is completely in the dark over his weapon.

“A total of 550 weapon licenses have been issued in Tirupati district, of which all but 29 have been surrendered ahead of the nomination phase. Our people are following up to get the remaining soon. We will not insist upon surrendering the 89 licensed weapons issued to bankers for security purposes (shifting of cash, guarding lockers etc.),” Superintendent of Police (Tirupati) L. Subbarayudu said.

Since Mr. Balasubramanyam had not informed the Tirupati Collectorate about his weapon, the district police are understandably clueless about it and hence reportedly had not demanded its surrender.

Cancellation

After the incident, the Kadapa police are equally in a fix as to how to deal with a weapon, which, though licensed, had not been mentioned in the official records.

“The weapon meant for use in self-defence was apparently used without any provocation. We will write to the appropriate authority for cancellation of the license,” Superintendent of Police (Kadapa) Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke told The Hindu.

The TDP, which has been claiming an incident-free nomination phase, is on the defensive because the incident involves its own official spokesperson