The police unleashed a trail of terror pouncing upon the scores of students who gathered to protest at the Telangana martyrs’ memorial here in Hanamkonda on Tuesday. The police did not spare even the journalists covering the event.
Scores of members of Kakatiya University students Joint Action Committee (JAC) staged a demonstration protesting the clash with the YSR Congress party leaders on Monday. The students tried to proceed towards the district Collectorate. The police prevented them and went on beating them up brutally. The newspaper reporters and electronic media cameramen were also assaulted using very foul language. The students and the newsmen have been demanding for quite some time that Subedari Circle Inspector Venkateswara Babu to be transferred immediately. This was not the first time the officer has been in controversy. However, the police authorities turned a deaf ear to the requests from various quarters. A photographer working for the English daily said the CI uttered very bad language and went on thrashing the cameramen unabated. “We have seen the movement in its peak but never the police lost their temper. This is first time they are virtually beating up people. The lathicharge by police on Monday and Tuesday were unwarranted,” the scribes cried demanding action against the officials responsible.
Scores of newsmen staged a dharna at the DIG bungalow demanding apology from police and suspend of Mr. Babu.
A delegation of reporters approached Superintendent of Police, J. Prabhakar Rao who assured them of taking action after inquiry into the incident. He said he ensure such incidents do not recur.
Meanwhile, the TRS and KU JAC members who were severely injured in the police lathicharge condemned the attitude of the police. Two women sustained severe injuries and were admitted to a private hospital.
KU JAC leader Sriram showing the broken police lathi
The TRS party leaders too condemned the incident and said police have decided to implement the eight chapter of the Sri Krishna Committee report but they would not allow the police brutalities.
“We will fight. The police lathicharge will not deter us from taking the movement forward,” said Telangana Graduates Association president M Yadava Reddy.
Courtesy: The Hindu