Visakhapatnam: YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy Thursday sustained a minor injury at the airport here in a knife attack by a young man who sneaked up to him with a request to take a selfie, police said.
The attacker, identified as Jaripalli Srinivas, works as a waiter at a restaurant at the airport.
As he suddenly took out a small knife from his pocket and stabbed Jagan, the YSR Congress leader was injured on his left shoulder.
A commandant of the Central Industrial Security Force overpowered the attacker, who was handed over to police.
Jagan continued his journey to Hyderabad after getting first-aid from the airport staff.
The incident triggered tension at the airport as scores of YSRCP activists gathered outside shouting slogans against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the TDP government.
Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police RP Thakur said they were questioning the accused. He said a nine-page letter was found in the pocket of the attacker and they will soon reveal its contents.
The police chief said Srinivas claimed to be a fan of Jagan. “Prima facie it appears that he resorted to attack for publicity,” he said.
The officer said the police had no role in the security measures inside the airport. He said it was for CISF to find out how the attacker managed to carry a knife into the airport.
A case has been registered by the police on a complaint by CISF.
Meanwhile, Jagan reached Hyderabad airport in the afternoon. He was received by his wife YS Bharathi and other family members and YSRCP leaders.
