Withdraw Cases Against Vimalakka: Congress

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday accused the TRS government of implicating its opponents in false cases.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan along with the Leader of the Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Working President Bhatti Vikramarka, AICC spokesperson Madhu Yashki Goud and former MPs Balram Naik and Rajaiah, the TPCC chief demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases registered against activists, farmers and students since the formation of Telangana.

Mohammed Ali Shabbir strongly condemned the booking of cases against 17 leaders including United Telangana Front leaders Vimalakka and her husband Amar.

"They were implicated in false cases in reaction to the meeting they held on March 23 at Machareddy in the Nizamabad district to protest against the injustices done to the beedi workers. Athough the meeting was totally peaceful, the police registered cases on March 27 and imposed serious sections like 120B (Criminal Conspiracy), 144, 148, 386, 109 and 149, Sections 25 and 26 of the Indian Arms Act, and Section 2 & 3 of the Explosive Substance Act. The TRS government is terrorising everyone who is exposing the truth," he alleged.

Shabbir Ali said that although Vimalakka and other leaders had openly campaigned against the Congress in the last elections, their party never considered them as their rivals.

"Everyone has the freedom of expression in a democracy, and we strictly follow it. However, the TRS government is trying to suppress the voice of everyone who is speaking the truth and exposing the failures of government," he said, adding that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao should not forget that leaders like Vimalakka had played an active role in the formation of Telangana.

TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka pointed out the cases registered against the activists, farmers and students for holding protests against the TRS government. He said that cases of attempt to murder were registered against farmers in Khammam when they held a protest rally.

He informed that the TPCC had constituted a fact-finding committee led by Kisan Cell chairman Kodanda Reddy to enquire into the cases against farmers. (INN)