Protest at Secretariat over infant’s death in Kummera incident; CPI (M) slams CM’s silence

Members of the washermen’s community and civil society groups protested at the Secretariat in Hyderabad over the death of a two-month-old baby in a stampede at Kummera village. CPI(M) supported the protest while the baby’s parents approached the Human Rights Commission

Hyderabad: Condemning the death of a two-month-old baby in the alleged stampede at Kummera village in Nagarkurnool district, members of the washermen’s community and civil society organisations staged a protest at the Secretariat here on Thursday.

Raising slogans against the government, the protestors demanded stern action against those responsible for the incident. Tension prevailed for a while when the protestors attempted to barge into the Secretariat, but were prevented by the police. Heated arguments broke out between the protestors and the police. Later, the police bundled them into a van and took them into custody.

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CPI (M) extends support, condemns CM’s silence

Extending support to the protest, the CPI (M) State unit condemned the police action and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s silence over the Kummera village incident. Led by CPI (M) State president John Wesley, the party leaders met the protestors at the Chikkadpally police station.

“It has been several days since the incident and the government has not yet registered a case under the SC/ST Atrocities Act or under murder charges. The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio, has not spoken a word about the incident and this is condemnable,” John Wesley said.

The government should establish a fast-track court to hear the case and punish the offender severely. If the government fails to initiate action, the CPI (M) would lay siege to the Assembly during the ensuing session, he warned in a statement.

Victims file petition with TGHRC

Earlier in the day, the parents of the two-month-old baby filed a petition with Telangana Human Rights Commission chairperson Shameem Akther seeking justice. The Commission accepted the petition and sought a detailed report from the Director General of Police before March 24.