Hyderabad — In a significant turn of events regarding the recent violence in Vikarabad, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former minister Patnam Narender Reddy was arrested by police on Wednesday. This incident has sparked widespread backlash, with BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) accusing the Congress-led state government of undemocratic practices. The unrest in Langacharla village was sparked by protests from local farmers voicing their concerns over the contentious Pharma City project. However, Vikarabad district collector Prateek Jain has dismissed allegations of an attack by the protesting villagers. During a visit to Kondagal, Jain engaged with the farmers and emphasized that “some mischief elements conspired and created trouble,” denying any personal attack or manhandling.
In the midst of the turmoil, police have also named a Suresh as a key figure who allegedly incited the villagers to confront government officials. Suresh is reportedly a close associate of Reddy, further complicating the case against the detained BRS leader. Reddy, who is expected to be presented in court following a medical examination, now faces scrutiny amidst a rising tide of political tension. Meanwhile, 16 farmers were reportedly remanded by a local court the previous night, amplifying the growing unrest.
KTR has vehemently criticized the government’s actions, labeling the arrest of Reddy as an attempt to stifle democratic dissent. “The government is undemocratically suppressing the protest in Langacharla village,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing struggle faced by BRS members since the inception of the Telangana movement. The former IT minister called for the immediate release of all detainees, including Reddy and the protesting farmers, urging the government to reconsider its approach to handling public grievances. As the situation evolves, the clash between BRS and the state government continues to raise questions about the transparency and accountability of local governance in Telangana.
