KTR warns of retaliation if police remain spectators of Congress violence

BRS working president KT Rama Rao warned of retaliation if police remained spectators to alleged Congress violence against party workers. Visiting injured activists in Hyderabad, he demanded strict action against the accused and said the BRS would fight until justice is delivered.

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday warned of counter-attacks if the violence perpetrated by the Congress against the BRS cadre was responded with spectator policing.

Talking to the media after consoling BRS activists Bitla Bala Raju and his wife Ganji Bharati at Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad, he condemned the increasing attacks on BRS workers and leaders across the State for the past two years and the escalating tensions amid the gram panchayat elections as police chose to be silent spectators.

A relative of the Congress-backed sarpanch candidate had rammed a tractor into a gathering outside Bala Raju’s house, causing severe injuries to the couple and others.

“Spectator policing will invite retaliation,” he warned, stating that the inaction of police would lead to counter attacks. He demanded that an attempt-to-murder case be booked against the accused in the incident. He also wanted the government to pay compensation to the victims.

“BRS will fight till justice is served,” he asserted, after enquiring about the victim’s health from doctors. He expressed deep concern over Bharati’s critical condition, stating that her bones were fractured, her urinary bladder damaged, requiring three surgeries and at least three weeks of hospitalization. He cited previous incidents, including the killing of a BRS activist in Nalgonda and the kidnapping and assault of a BC candidate in Suryapet.

Rama Rao lashed out at the police for their inaction, reminding officers from the DGP downward that they served the public, not the Congress party.

“If police remain spectators while rowdies attack, we will have no choice but to retaliate. Attack will be met with counter-attack, and any resulting law and order issues will be the government’s responsibility,” he said.

Assuring full support to the victims, he announced that the BRS would bear all medical expenses for the victims and other injured workers. Urging party cadres not to lose heart and vowing to fight for justice, including through protests at the police headquarters if needed, he advised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to restrain his workers from provocative actions.