YSRCP chief and former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy lamented that the Tenali incident is proof of how the police system will deteriorate if the state loses control over the Red Book Constitution. He spoke to the media after visiting the family of John Victor, who was injured in the police attack in Tenali.
He accused the government of trying to silence the voices raised against them and the latest incidents show that former ministers, former MLAs, activists and social media activists are being falsely charged, evidence is being fabricated and they are being put in jail.
He said that among those who were beaten up at the hands of the police were Doma Rakesh, Chebrolu John Victor and Karimullah, who are Dalits and minorities. He deplored that the police attacked people belonging to socially and economically downtrodden communities. He said that a young man named Rakesh, who works in Hyderabad, came to Tenali to seek a court adjournment in connection with an old case.
Similarly, he said that a young man named John Victor, a junior advocate from Mangalagiri, and a young mechanic named Karimullah also came to Tenali from Mangalagiri were victimized. Jagan said that when these three came to meet in a friendly manner, a constable in civilian dress tried to stop them from fighting with someone near the Ambedkar statue in Ithanagar.
With this, the former chief minister accused that the constable John Victor snatched the bike keys and phone of the victim, who was snatched back from the constable. After that, they went to someone’s house. The next day, the police went to Mangalagiri and beat up Advocate Victor and Karimullah.
Jagan lamented that they were beaten up at Tenali Two Town PS all night. The next day, he said they were taken to the road near the station and beaten up on the road to humiliate them.
Meanwhile, Dalit and mass organizations organized a protest against Jagan’s visit. They formed a human chain at the Tenali Market Center and staged a protest. Dalit and public organizations raised slogans saying that Jagan did not visit Nuthakki Kiran, who was murdered during the YSRCP regime… It is cruel to stand in support of rowdy sheeters.
Similarly, MRPS activists blocked Jagan at Aithanagar Center. The protesters shouted slogans saying Jagan Go Back. MRPS and Dalit leaders blocked Jagan’s convoy at Erra Badi in Tenali. They protested, asking if love for Dalits has arisen now.
MRPS leaders questioned how Jagan Mohan Reddy would visit those who committed murders, those who had rowdy sheets, and those who beat up police officers. They protested by releasing black balloons. However, the police stopped the Dalit groups coming on the road. A heavy police force was deployed in Tenali. Due to this, there was a high tension atmosphere in Tenali.