Man murdered in Bhadrachalam; Victim’s family stages protest demanding severe punishment to accused

Family members of a man stabbed to death in Bhadrachalam staged a rasta-roko demanding severe punishment for the accused. Locals alleged police delay in response and raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the temple town.

Kothagudem: The family members of a man, Sajja Ravi Varma (38), who was stabbed to death in Bhadrachalam town in the district, staged a rasta-roko in the town on Thursday, demanding severe punishment for the accused.

It may be noted that a few drunk youths had a clash with the deceased, who tried to stop them from beating a man over a petty issue, and stabbed him to death in broad daylight on Wednesday, causing panic among the public in the town.

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A large number of locals joined the protest led by the deceased man’s wife Jayashree and her family. The protest was staged for nearly one hour at the bridge centre and later at the MLA camp office in the town. The protestors expressed serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the temple town.

Speaking to the media, the family members and locals alleged that incidents of youths clashing with each other and often committing murders have been increasing in the town in recent times.

They complained that when the youths clashed with the deceased man, they called Dial 100 nearly six times, but the police failed to respond immediately and reached the spot after 40 minutes. Had the police responded swiftly, the life of Ravi Varma could have been saved, they said.

Ravi Varma’s death left his three daughters fatherless, besides widowing his wife Jayashree, and their lives were thrown into uncertainty with the loss of the breadwinner, the family members grieved.

Bhadrachalam ASP Vikrant Singh Kumar and the local Inspector of Police Nagaraju reached the protest spot and spoke to Ravi Varma’s family members. The protest ended after the police assured the family members that they would ensure severe punishment for the accused.accused.