Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has called on Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to apologise to the farmers of Lagacharla and to take action against police officers accused of abusing their power. This demand follows a report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that found serious misconduct by the police during a land acquisition drive.
According to the NHRC report, police officers were involved in the harassment and abuse of Dalit and tribal women and girls. Rama Rao, speaking at a press conference after meeting with victims in Hyderabad’s Nandinagar, said the police behaved like a “private army” for the Chief Minister. He described their actions as “barbaric” and inhumane.
The NHRC, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, confirmed the victims’ claims after visiting the area. The commission found that tribal men and women were subjected to torture, threats, and beatings, including inside police stations. CCTV cameras at the stations were reportedly not working at the time.
KTR shared some of the victims’ stories. One girl reported that she and her mother-in-law were sexually harassed. In another case, a woman was beaten on her thigh. He also accused the government of conducting secret operations in Lagacharla despite a High Court order to stop, and said the land was being taken for a pharmaceutical company linked to the Chief Minister’s family.
Calling the NHRC report a strong blow to the state government, Rama Rao said, “If Revanth Reddy has any dignity left, he should apologise to the Dalit and tribal communities and resign from his position as Chief Minister.”
