Hyderabad: TRS MLA’s brother and 13 people were arrested for attacking and injuring Forest Range Officer C Anitha in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district in Telangana allegedly over a land issue.
A video footage of the attack went viral and the incident was condemned by the opposition party leaders across the State.
Koneru Krishna Rao, brother of Sirpur MLA Koneru Kannappa, and 13 others were booked by the police on attempt to murder and rioting charges among other sections of the IPC.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Kagaznagar Sambaih and Inspector Venkatesh were suspended on charges of negligence of their duty in connection with the attack.
Reacting to the incident, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working president K T Rama Rao said that he condemned the act of Koneru Krishna for attacking an official who was doing her job. He also added that no one was above law of the land.
Anitha who has been hospitalised had apparently gone to Sarasala village with some other officials to plant saplings as part of the government’s ‘Haritha Haram‘ green initiative programme. The video shows Anitha climbing on a tractor to escape but the men surround and hit her with bamboo sticks. In her statement, Anitha said Koneru Krishna hit her first after which the others followed.
Telangana Principal Chief Conservator of Forest P K Jha said the land where the officials went belonged to the forest department and the MLA was also informed about it. It is to be noted that Krishna Rao was recently elected vice chairman of the Komaram Bheem Asifabad zilla parishad.
Slamming Chandrasekar Rao for the attack, BJP spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said this incident showed failure of law and order in the State. “I am asking the Chief Minister, is it Bangaru (Golden) Telangana? Is it the protection you provide to women?” he asked.