Harish Rao condemns arrest of RS Praveen Kumar and BRS leaders supporting Podu farmers

BRS MLA T. Harish Rao condemned the arrest of party general secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar and others in Asifabad for resisting police action against protesting Podu farmers. He accused the Congress government of insensitivity towards tribal land rights struggles.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao condemned the arrest of BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar and other leaders in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on Thursday and demanded for their immediate release. He accused the Congress government of targeting the BRS leaders who were defending the rights of Podu farmers.

Podu farmers in Dinda village took to the streets demanding pattas for their lands on Thursday. When the police came to arrest them, the BRS leaders led by Praveen Kumar resisted and were subsequently detained. They were shifted to the Kautala police station.

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“Was it a crime for BRS leaders to stand with farmers? Is handcuffing farmers and making unlawful arrests part of Indiramm Rajyam promised by the Congress?” he asked. He said the government’s actions reflect its insensitivity towards tribal farmers’ struggles for land rights.