Telangana: Congress claims against BRS over Lagacherla row fall apart

Of the 21 persons who have been arrested, at least five belong to the Congress party

Hyderabad: The Congress allegations against the BRS, accusing it of conspiring to create unrest at Lagacherla and orchestrating the alleged attack on the officials, appears to be falling apart. The Congress leaders, along with the police, are weaving a narrative holding the BRS responsible for the attack, citing the involvement of B Suresh. a farmer affiliated with the BRS.

Hours after former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy revealed that his confession was fabricated by the police in the remand report and released the original confession, fresh revelations indicate that more than a dozen of the 46 individuals named in the FIR for attacking the officials, have close ties to the Congress party.

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Among them is A10, Ramu Naik who is a former deputy Sarpanch and a known Congress supporter, who was also involved in the alleged attack. Of the 21 persons who have been arrested, at least five belong to the Congress party.

Notwithstanding their party affiliations, the villagers have been actively participating in the fight to protect their ancestral lands and opposing the proposed Pharma Village. The BRS leaders argue that the Congress is using their political affiliations as a smokescreen to avoid addressing the real issue and portraying the opposition as a conspirator to create unrest.

“This attempt to politicise the protests is a deliberate distraction,” said a senior BRS leader. “Yes, one of the farmers is affiliated with us, but does that invalidate the legitimate grievances of the others? A large number of people named in the FIR, have connections with the Congress and other political parties. Does their party loyalty negate their right to fight for their land?” he argued.

The Lagacherla farmers have been protesting for past seven-eight months, voicing their anguish over losing their livelihoods and ancestral properties. The recent alleged attack on the officials including Vikarabad district Collector Prateek Jain, had only escalated the issue, with the Congress leadership giving it a political hue.