KCR orders probe into Mariamma lock-up death case

He also expressed his ire over the way the case was handled by the police personnel and declared that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday ordered an in-depth investigation into the death of Mariamma, a Dalit woman, allegedly in police lock-up at Addaguduru in Yadadri-Bhongir district and stringent action to be taken against those responsible for the incident. He termed the death of Mariamma, hailing from Chintakani in Madhira constituency in Khammam district, as extremely painful.

He also expressed his ire over the way the case was handled by the police personnel and declared that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

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Extending support to the bereaved family, he announced Rs 15 lakh ex-gratia, a house and government job to Mariamma’s son Uday Kiran, apart from providing financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to both the daughters. He directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to take necessary measures in this regard and also instructed DGP M Mahender Reddy to visit Chintakani personally to ascertain facts about the lock-up death.

The Chief Minister’s directives followed a Congress delegation led by Congress Legislative Party leader and Madhira MLA Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka calling on Chandrashekhar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan here in connection with the case. Vikramarka was accompanied by Congress MLAs D Sridhar Babu, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, T Jagga Reddy, Congress SC Cell chairman Pritam and others. They submitted a representation to the Chief Minister seeking action against the police authorities responsible for the death of Mariamma.

Responding to their requests, the Chief Minister asked Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, MP Nama Nageshwar Rao, Khammam District Collector and Superintendent of Police to accompany Vikramarka to Chintakani to visit the victim’s family on June 28 and console them.

Chandrashekhar Rao emphasised the need for society to change its attitude towards Dalits. He asserted that attitude and behaviour of the police towards Dalits and the poor should be positive. “It is unfortunate that such incidents are taking place when the State government is trying to bring qualitative change in the State police system to maintain law and order,” he said.

Stating that the government will not be a mute spectator if anyone harms Dalits, he said: “There should be no delay in prosecuting those responsible for this lock-up death and strict action including dismissal from service should be initiated as per law,” he said.

Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, Roads and Buildings Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Telangana State Planning Board vice-chairman B Vinod Kumar, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, DGP M Mahender Reddy, Principal Secretary for Finance K Ramakrishna Rao and other officials were present.