Dual murder triggers tension in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu region

Palnadu district witnessed the brutal murder of two brothers in Adigoppala village of Durgi mandal in Andhra Pradesh, triggering tension and fear among residents. The double murder, which took place after midnight on Sunday (December 21, 2025) within the limits of Durgi police station, has once again highlighted simmering alleged personal rivalries between groups and families in the region.

The victims were identified as Kotha Hanumantha Rao, and his younger brother Kotha Sriramamurthy, residents of Adigoppala village and sympathisers of the Telugu Desam Party.

According to the police, both were reportedly hacked to death with hunting sickles in a premeditated attack. Hanumantharao was killed near Boddurai Centre on the outskirts of the village, while Sriramamurthy was murdered near the Nidhanampadu Ammavari temple. Both sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spot., according to police.

Palnadu district Superintendent of Police B. Krishna Rao said preliminary investigation indicated that the murders were the result of long-standing personal rivalry in the village. “There was a clash between two families around two to three months ago over some issues. That incident appears to have triggered the present murders,” he said.

Police identified the prime suspects as Yaganti Naresh, 30, and Puvvada Ramalingam, 32, both from the same village, who allegedly carried out the attacks and fled.

Police rushed to the scene, shifted the bodies for post-mortem examination, and registered a case. Special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the absconding accused, while security has been tightened in Adigoppala to prevent any further violence.