An India Today news crew was assaulted by unidentified men while reporting on the civic elections in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh. Associate Editor Abdul Basheer and video journalist S. Vijay were targeted near the Gandhi statue close to the Pulivendula police station while documenting alleged poll rigging and stone pelting. The mob broke their camera, snatched their mobile phones, ID cards, memory card, and battery before the journalists managed to flee. Following the incident, an FIR was lodged, with police assuring strict action. The assault has triggered an intense political confrontation between the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party. The ruling TDP alleged that YSRCP orchestrated the attack to discredit the government and create a law-and-order disruption. In response, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the assault on the media crew, raised concerns over journalists’ safety, and demanded freedom of the press alongside an impartial investigation.
