Congress supporter attacked in AP

Hyderabad, Feb 16 (PTI) A coal trader and a Congresssupporter Lakkineni Surender sustained serious injuries whenhe was attacked in broad day-light by unidentified persons inKothagudem town of Andhra Pradesh''s Khammam district.

Surender was attacked and brutally beaten with stickssoon after he met Congress district president and formerminister Vanam Venkateshwar Rao at his hunger camp inKothagudem town. Rao has been on hunger strike in support ofseparate Telangana state, Kothagudem police said.

Surender who earlier was in Praja Rajyam Party had quitthe party and had been supporting the ruling Congress sincethen.

According to Kothagudem DSP Devadas Nagul, the attack wasa result of business rivalry Surender had with one coalcontractor Pratap Reddy.

About four months ago, Surender, who is also a coalcontractor, and his associates attacked Pratap Reddy who borea grudge against Surender, the DSP said adding that the attackincident had nothing to do with politics.

Surender suffered serious head injury in the attack andwas shifted to Hyderabad. A hunt has been launched to nab theculprits, the DSP added.