Kodangal attack: Police arrest 55 persons; power, internet services disconnected

In a late night operation, around 300 police personnel descended on the village, cutting off electricity, and conducting door-to-door searches to detain suspects

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed in Lagicherla of Kodangal constituency as the police arrested 55 people, including 28 farmers,
in connection with Monday’s attack on Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain and other officials.

In a late night operation, around 300 police personnel descended on the village, cutting off electricity, and conducting door-to-door searches to detain suspects.

---

The crackdown extended to the nearby mandals of Dudyala, Kodangal, and Bonraspet, where internet services were abruptly suspended. Reporters and photographers were prevented from covering the developments, with their cameras being snatched away and allowed to leave only after photos were deleted on the spot.

Responding to the incident, the BRS condemned the late night arrests and demanded for immediate release of farmers. BRS working president KT Rama Rao strongly condemned the arrests, lashing out at the Congress government for using intimidation tactics to suppress dissent.

 

అరెస్టులతో లగచర్ల లడాయిని ఆపలేరు!
బెదిరింపులతో రైతులను భయపెట్టలేరు!

అర్దరాత్రి 300మంది పోలీసులను పంపి రైతులను అరెస్ట్ చేస్తారా?
రైతులు ఏమైనా తీవ్రవాదులు అనుకుంటున్నారా?
ఇదేనా ప్రజాస్వామ్య పాలనా?రైతు సంక్షేమ పాలన?
ఇదేనా వెలుగులను తరిమేసి.. చీకట్లు తెచ్చిన ఇందిరమ్మ రాజ్యం !…

— KTR (@KTRBRS) November 12, 2024

“Arrests will not stop Lagicherla’s struggle. Farmers cannot be silenced by threats. Is this democracy or tyranny? Why are farmers being treated like terrorists and arrested in the dead of night for opposing land acquisition to set up pharma companies?” he questioned.

He asked whether the Chief Minister was taking revenge against farmers for obstructing the pharma village project meant to benefit his brothers and son-in-law. Senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao lambasted the government for its inhumane approach.

“Deploying 300 policemen to arrest farmers is outrageous. These are not criminals but people protecting their livelihoods. Land acquisition for the Chief Minister’s personal interests must stop immediately,” he demanded, calling for the immediate release of all detained villagers.

The crackdown has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition leaders and local activists accusing the Congress-led government of prioritising corporate interests over farmers’ welfare. A team of BRS leaders led by Harish Rao are scheduled to visit Lagicherla village later in the day.