BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded chief minister A Revanth Reddy tender an unconditional apology to tribal communities in Lagcherla, Hakimpet, and other villages of Kodangal constituency for alleged police excesses during land acquisition for a proposed pharma village/cluster. He said that Revanth Reddy should resign immediately if he has any shame as a local MLA, Home Minister and Chief Minister.
The demand follows a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report confirming systemic abuse, including sexual harassment and custodial violence against Dalit and tribal women during the controversial land acquisition drive. He termed the NHRC report a “slap” to Revanth Reddy’s administration, urging him to step down if he retains “any dignity”.
KTR, addressing the media after meeting victims who donated Rs 1 lakh to BRS’ Silver Jubile event, stated the NHRC had validated allegations of police acting as eReddy’s “private army,” citing third-degree torture, illegal detention, and threats.
“The SC and ST farmers of Lagacharla were illegally arrested. They were taken to the station and tortured without registering cases. They were threatened. The girls of Lagacharla were sexually harassed. The NHRC itself has revealed in its report that the police acted arbitrarily, violating human rights”, he said.
KTR also demanded that the responsible policemen should be dismissed from duty, otherwise they will approach the Supreme Court. He made it clear that he will stand by the victims of Lagacharla until justice is done. He warned that the BRS would come to power again in three years and that police officers who are overreacting would not be spared.
He demanded that Revanth Reddy be brought to the ground, even with the NHRC report. If Revanth Reddy had any humanity, he would have taken responsibility for the anarchy and sexual harassment against Dalit tribals, resigned and apologized, and that he is still the CM because he has none of these, he added.
The NHRC, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, found police subjected villagers to beatings, sexual harassment, and intimidation, with CCTV cameras in stations deliberately disabled during the violations. KTR highlighted testimonies of women alleging sexual harassment and physical assault, including one case where a victim was beaten on her thigh.
