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Pigeon-bound rockets fired to welcome APCC chief

HYDERABAD: It was a bloody welcome for Andhra Pradesh Congress chief N Raghuveera Reddy as party members stuffed live doves into rocket cones and fired them on his arrival in Kovvuru town in West Godavari district.Two doves fell dead while the rest had their wings and claws scorched. Cadres had even tied party flags to the necks of the birds, meant to unfurl once the rockets exploded and released the doves.The incident, which occurred on Saturday, invited the wrath of animal rights activists and the ruling Telugu Desam Party. West Godavari police have registered a case against three people and are examining footage of the celebration.Reddy , who went to the Godavari river bank town to organise a protest demanding special status for Andhra, said he was unaware of the dove stunt."I thought there were fireworks. We will ensure such violations do not recur," he said.