Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Andhra Pradesh CM goes missing in Kurnool

Andhra Pradesh CM goes missing in Kurnool
--> Andhra Pradesh CM goes missing in Kurnool-->
Wed, Sep 2 04:00 PM
There has been no contact with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, whose helicopter has been missing since 9:30 am after he took off from Hyderabad this morning, Home Ministry sources here said. "There has been no no contact established with the helicopter," sources in the ministry said. Seven Air Force choppers are looking for the CM and the govt has also requested people to help in the search.
YS Rajasekhara Reddy has gone missing while on his way from Kurnool to Chittoor. Due to bad weather Reddy's helicopter made an emergency landing at Pamulapadu in Kurnool district.
Reports suggest that the helicopter has landed safely in Kurnool district but the chief minister's whereabouts are still a mystery.
The helicopter lost contact with Air Traffic Controller at the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad and since then there has not been any contact with the Chief Minister.
Some sources claimed that Reddy had been traced and taken to Kurnool guest house after a four-hour frantic search.
Andhra Pradesh Police is continuing a search for the missing chopper of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajshekhar Reddy.
According to police sources, a civilian copter has been pushed in to the search operation. nconfirmed reports said the Army has also joined the search operation.
Panic was created around Wednesday noon as Reddy was reported untraceable for nearly four hours.
Reddy was on his way to Chittor, by the chopper which initial reports said had made an emergency landing near Kurnool due to inclement weather.
The chopper took off at 8.45 a.m. for Chittor and was scheduled to arrive here at 10.45 a.m, sources said.
The chopper was said to have landed in the middle of thick forest, said to be affected by the Maoist activities.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed the receiving a message of the emergency landing of the chopper, but nothing thereafter.
Till now, no one has confirmed the movements of Reddy.
The Union Home Ministry is monitoring the search operations, as Kurnool is a Naxal affected area.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) sources said the chopper went off the radar due to heavy rains.
The CMO maintains there is no need to worry, as the area has no mobile connectivity.