Eight arrested in murder of BRS worker in Suryapet
Eight people were arrested for the murder of BRS worker Uppula Mallaiah in Lingampally, Nuthankal mandal, during tense gram panchayat poll campaigning. Mallaiah, who intervened during a clash between BRS and Congress supporters, died from head injuries in Hyderabad.
Suryapet: Suryapet police arrested eight persons late Wednesday night for the brutal murder of BRS worker Uppula Mallaiah (55) in Lingampally village, Nuthankal Mandal, amid escalating tensions over gram panchayat elections.
The incident occurred during intense campaigning for Thursday’s polling. The sarpanch post, reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) category, witnessed a keen contest between BRS-backed candidate Madusu Venkanna and Congress-supported Desapangu Murali.
Adding fuel to the rivalry, Mallaiah’s daughter-in-law, Uppula Shailaja, was contesting for the 4th ward seat. According to witnesses, a group of Congress supporters confronted BRS workers, including Mallaiah, while they were canvassing. The argument swiftly turned violent, with the assailants allegedly attacking with sticks, stones and a boulder.
When Mallaiah intervened to protect BRS Mandal president Munna Mallayya, who was being assaulted first, he was brutally beaten on the head. He succumbed to severe injuries in a Hyderabad hospital after initial treatment in Suryapet. Six others, including Munna Mallayya and his brother Lingayya, sustained injuries in the attack.
Following a complaint by the victim’s wife, Uppula Lingamma, police registered a case under sections pertaining to murder and attempt to murder. District Additional SP Ravinder Reddy confirmed the arrest of eight accused—Uppula Satish, Korivi Gangayya, Veeraboyina Satish, Uppula Gangayya, Uppula Elamanchi, Veeraboyina Lingayya, Karingula Ravinder and Desapangu Avilayya—who have been remanded to judicial custody on Thursday.
Heavy police deployment continues in Lingampalli to ensure peaceful polling and prevent further unrest. The postmortem was conducted at Suryapet Government Hospital, and the funeral was held under tight security.
