Congress Alleges Excesses On Journalists By Police

Nalgonda MP & ex-TPCC President N Uttam Kumar Reddy today alleged that the Telangana police were resorting to excesses against journalists, Congress leaders and workers, and other social activists, to shield corrupt TRS leaders.

Reddy was speaking to media persons after making a representation in a Huzurnagar police station in the case of a local journalist who was allagedly attacked by TRS "goondas" for exposing corruption by a local TRS MLA and his henchmen.

Reddy said that instead of taking action against the TRS-backed "goondas", some police officials were harassing the local journalist.

Reddy also sought action against some ruling party "goondas" who attacked a dissident TRS leader who had approached the court seeking an inquiry into allegations of corruption.

"There have been several cases of assaults in Huzurnagar wherein the local police have behaved in a partisan way. The TRS-backed goondas have been given a free hand to attack and intimidate anyone who exposes their corruption and other illegal activities. There are several instances wherein the officials, up to the rank of District Collector and Superintendent of Police, have acted in a partisan manner. The police officials must stop behaving in a biased way in favour of the TRS leaders," he said, and added that he would demand in Parliament that the next elections in Telangana should be held under President's Rule as several top officials were openly supporting the TRS while using excesses to suppress any kind of opposition.

Earlier in the day, Reddy visited the residence of journalist Y Saidulu Goud, who was allegedly assaulted by TRS men for exposing corruption by a TRS MLA. They also allegedly threatened to kill him if he continued to expose any more activities of the MLA or other leaders.

Reddy also called upon the dissident TRS leader Mohan Rao, who filed cases in a court to expose the "corruption" of the district administration and the local TRS MLA. To silence Rao and force him to withdraw the case, some TRS men allegedly brutally attacked him. And instead of taking action against the accused persons, the local police allegedly intimidated Rao.

Reddy also said that many local journalists were being threatened or attacked by the TRS MLA and his henchmen.

The MP also condemned the lack of action in the case of a TRS leader allegedly forging the signature of the Huzurnagar Municipal Commissioner to encroach upon a property owned by a private individual.

"I met the injured journalist and dissident TRS leader to extend my support. I also met the police officials concerned seeking immediate action against those involved in the attack. I also warned them against behaving in a partisan manner," Reddy said.

Reddy lamented that incidents of TRS leaders attacking or intimidating journalists and Congress leaders to shield their corruption and illegal activities had turned rampant across Telangana. "The Congress will no longer tolerate the police excesses and TRS attacks on our leaders and workers. We will launch a massive public agitation to expose the unholy nexus between the TRS, its goondas and the Telangana police," he said.

He also claimed that the common people had gotten vexed with the TRS rule which he said only gave corrupt administration and failed governance. He said that the people were ready to vote out the TRS and bring back the Congress to power in Telangana in the next elections.