Ten youths from Punjab with unlicensed weapons arrested in Rayachoti

Ten youths from Punjab were arrested in Rayachoti, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday, reportedly in possession of unlicensed firearms, according to police reports. The arrest occurred in Annamayya district, and the youths were part of a larger 10-member group. The police seized two pistols and bullets from their possession.

The tension surrounding the arrests escalated in Rayachoti, as TDP men confronted supporters of a political party outside a lodge where the accused were allegedly staying. The situation became volatile when Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers gathered outside the lodge, leading to a physical altercation with members of the opposing political party, reportedly including some individuals from Karnataka and bouncers. A car parked near the lodge was damaged during the confrontation.

The police acted swiftly to restore order, arresting a large number of individuals, including men from Karnataka and the bouncers, and seizing firearms from the accused youths. The police are currently investigating the purpose of the youths' stay at the lodge and their possible connections to the recent clashes. Tension in Rayachoti has been high, with political parties accusing each other of attempts to disrupt the local body election process. The TDP accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of conspiring to create unrest during the elections.

To prevent further clashes, the police increased security measures in Rayachoti, deploying additional personnel and implementing a three-tier security arrangement at nomination centers. Rallies and protests were prohibited in the town as a precautionary measure, and senior police officers were monitoring the situation and overseeing security arrangements. The investigation into the seizure of firearms and related developments at the lodge is ongoing.