Mahabubabad CI relieved of duties after grabbing students by throat during protest

Mahabubabad CI Raghupathi Reddy has been relieved of his duties pending an enquiry after videos showed him allegedly grabbing protesting students by the throat. Student organisations condemned the incident and demanded his suspension and withdrawal of the decision on polytechnic education.

Mahabubabad: As several student organisations have demanded action against Mahabubabad CI Raghupathi Reddy for grabbing students by the throat during a protest, the CI has been relieved of his duties.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Dr. Shabarish P said the CI was told to stay away from his duties pending an enquiry. A DSP-rank officer would conduct an enquiry into the incident; based on the enquiry report, action would be taken against the CI, he noted.

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It may be noted that visuals of CI Raghupathi Reddy grabbing two students by the throat, one after another, while attempting to control a group of protesting students have gone viral on social media. The incident attracted widespread criticism of the CI’s action.

The incident took place while the students staged a protest at Mahabubabad district collectorate on Wednesday against GO No. 97, released by the Congress government to merge polytechnic colleges with Young India Skills University along with Skill, Human Capital, and Knowledge Training Initiatives (SHAKTI) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The students were said to have suffered significant distress while being held by the throat by the CI. Many questioned why a police officer, who should have handled the situation with composure, behaved so aggressively towards the students and what was wrong with students fighting for their rights.

The Gen-Z Student Organisation founder Shivaji, in a statement in Hyderabad, strongly condemned the CI’s action and demanded that higher officials suspend him from service. It was a democratic right for students to fight for their rights, he noted.

PDSU Kothagudem district secretary Burra Veerabhadram also demanded the suspension of Mahabubabad CI Raghupathi Reddy, alleging inhumane treatment of polytechnic students. He demanded that the government withdraw its decision concerning polytechnic education.