RS Praveen Kumar demands SIT inquiry into gang wars in Telangana, questions Revanth Reddy’s postings

BRS General Secretary RS Praveen Kumar accused the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government of fostering “anarchic rule” in Telangana, alleging gang wars backed by influential persons and harassment of police officers.

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alleged that the Revanth Reddy government was continuing with “anarchic rule” in Telangana and that gang wars were being orchestrated by influential persons.

Amid these political battles, police personnel, particularly lower-rank officers from disadvantaged sections, were being made scapegoats and subjected to mental agony, BRS General Secretary RS Praveen Kumar stressed.

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“Unable to bear this harassment, a constable recently shot himself at the DGP’s office in LB Nagar. This reflects the immense pressure police personnel are facing due to these gang wars,” he maintained at a press conference here on Saturday.

Citing the case of Muthu Yadav, who was suspended within 30 days of taking charge at Jubilee Hills, Praveen Kumar said there was no valid reason for the action. Similarly, in Chityala, a Congress leader allegedly assaulted an SC community journalist and Circle Inspector Mallesh was immediately suspended after registering an FIR, he stated.

Praveen Kumar demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be constituted to probe the alleged gang wars. He also sought a probe into the postings issued by the Chief Minister.

Despite the alleged harassment faced by police officers, the DGP had claimed that law and order was under control in the State, he said. Praveen Kumar referred to a ‘Zero FIR’ registered at Medipally on August 20 based on a complaint by Harikrishna.

According to the complaint, Sumanth, former OSD to Forest Minister Konda Surekha, allegedly called Harikrishna over the phone and asked him to meet him urgently. Sumanth later assaulted Harikrishna with iron rods on July 30, the complaint alleged.

“How did the constables know about the venue and the alleged assault on Harikrishna and his friends?” he asked.

He also questioned why there was no General Diary entry and why Harikrishna was not shifted to a hospital. Praveen Kumar claimed that Sumanth’s group and Kiran’s group, allegedly backed by some Ministers, were involved in gang wars.

He maintained that Sumanth and his associates had also lodged a complaint with the Madhapur police. According to a complaint filed by Mahender Reddy, they had paid Rs.1.80 crore to Harikrishna, who allegedly refused to return the money. However, this complaint was also not registered, he alleged.

“Did Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy direct officers not to register an FIR? But soon after Forest Minister’s daughter Konda Sushmitha spoke against the Chief Minister, Medipally police immediately registered a ‘Zero FIR’ on August 20,” he said.

The BRS General Secretary alleged that FIRs were not being registered unless the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, directed officials to do so. Revanth Reddy was deciding whom an FIR should be registered against, who should be spared and who should be arrested, he charged.

Amid the entire controversy, Muthu Yadav was suspended after allegedly acting on orders issued to him, Praveen Kumar said. He questioned why DCP Ramana Reddy and ACP Venkat Reddy were not suspended. He also alleged that the Congress government had failed to provide toilets for women constables at police stations.

Many constables were approaching the BRS to raise issues, particularly regarding surrender leave, he said. Similarly, 2012-batch Sub-Inspectors were appealing to the DGP for promotions, he said.

“When these issues are raised, the gunmen assigned to BRS leaders are being withdrawn. Interestingly, a bulletproof vehicle is provided to former Minister Jana Reddy, while security is provided to Revanth Reddy’s brothers,” Praveen Kumar pointed out.