Death of student: Konda Surekha says BRS should pay Rs.1 crore; Blames victim for tiger attack

The Minister also alleged that TGSWREIS former secretary RS Praveen Kumar was the man behind the food poisoning incidents in Gurukuls across the State

Hyderabad:  Courting controversy once again, Forest Minister Konda Surekha on Friday alleged that the BRS was trying to politicize tribal student Shailaja’s death and said if the party was really worried about the student’s demise, it should pay Rs.1 crore as compensation to the bereaved family. She also blamed the victim in Friday’s tiger attack in Asifabad, claiming that the woman should not have gone into the cotton fields before 10 am, which was why she was killed by the tiger.

During the BRS government’s tenure, there were many instances of food poisoning. Our government extended quality treatment to the student at NIMS but she passed away. After the Congress government came to power, it was the only incident that occurred in the last 11 months, she claimed, obviously forgetting that another student, Ch Prashanth, had died of food poisoning in Bhongir in April.

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Addressing a media conference here on Friday, the Minister also alleged that TGSWREIS former secretary RS Praveen Kumar was the man behind the food poisoning incidents in Gurukuls across the State. Without taking government permission in the past, he had appointed many people in different positions in the schools and was operating a mafia. Using them as tools, all attempts were being made to create issues and defame the government, she alleged.

“Enquiry is being conducted into all these incidents and stern action will be taken against all those involved, Surekha said, also accusing the BRS of trying to create hurdles in the River Musi project, pharma village project and of obstructing investments into the State.

“The attack on Vikarabad Collector is a planned act and attempts were made to murder him,” the Minister alleged, also taking strong objection to reports on YouTube channels.

“YouTube channels have no right to question us now. They can question after four years if the Congress fails to implement the promises made to the people,” she said.

In yet another controversial comment, the Forest Minister said in the Kumram Bheem Asifabad tiger attack incident, it was the woman’s fault. Forest officials have been appealing to people not to venture into the forest before 10 am and after 5 pm. Yet, the woman went into the forest area along with her child around 8 a.m. and it was unfortunate that she was killed by the tiger, she said.