Tension in Tirupati as two student leaders abducted

Tirupati: Tension gripped the city on Tuesday after two student leaders were allegedly attacked and abducted while heading to the district collectorate to stage a protest against alleged irregularities at Mohan Babu University (MBU).Around 30 persons reportedly assaulted SFI district general secretary Akbar and SFI SV University students' union leader Vinod, before whisking them away in vehicles. The sudden incident shocked fellow SFI students.CITU state vice president Kandarapu Murali alerted district SP L Subba Rayudu and ASP Ravi Manoharachari, warning that any threat to student leaders would have serious consequences. He demanded strict action from the police and the state govt.Police acted swiftly, rescuing the two leaders within an hour. The accused were taken into custody and the vehicles used in the abduction were seized. SP Subba Rayudu said criminal cases would be registered against both the perpetrators and the planners, assuring a comprehensive investigation.Student organisations have long raised concerns over alleged irregularities at MBU, particularly fee collections, and submitted several representations to the government seeking justice. With no response, SFI called for a protest at the collectorate demanding immediate action and criminal cases against the university management.CPM leaders alleged the protest was deliberately foiled by assailants linked to the university. CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao demanded stringent punishment, recalling that earlier notices from the higher education department had not led to effective action. He condemned the alleged use of criminal elements to intimidate students and urged that the university be blacklisted.AP Parents Association state president S Narahari also condemned the attack, urging the chief minister to intervene. He demanded implementation of APHERMC inquiry recommendations, cancellation of university permissions, refund of ₹26.17 crore allegedly collected illegally, enforcement of the ₹15 lakh penalty, and withdrawal of false cases against parents and students.