AMARAVATI: Tensions gripped Andhra Pradesh's Eluru district on Saturday after a rival faction within the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) attacked an MLA of the ruling party following the murder of a local sarpanch.

The tragedy occurred in Dwaraka Tirumala mandal's G. Kothapalli village. When MLA Talari Venkata Rao went to the village following the death of G. Kothapalli sarpanch Ganji Prasad, he was attacked by a competing gang. The demonstrators besieged the sarpanch's residence, where the lawmaker was mourning the murdered leader's family, alleging that MPTC member Bajaraiah, an MLA supporter, assassinated the sarpanch. 

Controlling the enraged protesters and conveying the MLA to safety proved difficult for police. Some demonstrators pursued the MLA, forcing him to seek refuge in a school. The scuffle resulted in the injury of a YSRCP employee. He was taken to the hospital.

Protesters also threw stones towards officers, hurting one of them. The MLA was eventually led out of the village by the police under strict protection. Meanwhile, three YSRCP workers were arrested in connection with the sarpanch's murder. Bajaraiah, who had eluded capture, was being sought by police. To prevent the situation from worsening, more troops were dispatched to the village. Senior police officers have also arrived in the village to keep an eye on the situation.

Unidentified assailants hacked Ganji Prasad to death early Saturday morning, causing tension in the village.

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