It’s only been days since Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) Vijaya Reddy was set on fire and murdered on the outskirts of Hyderabad. In what could have turned out to be a similar instance in the neighbouring state, a couple stormed into the MRO office in Andhra Pradesh, carrying a bottle of petrol and pesticide, on Wednesday.
The incident took place in Allagadda in Kurnool district and the couple threatened MRO Siva Ramudu, saying they would burn him alive, or kill themselves. The couple alleged that they had been running pillar to post over an ongoing land dispute.
The couple, identified as Ramadevi and Subba Reddy, reportedly hail from Battuluru village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
As they showed up with petrol and pesticide, the police were immediately alerted. They took the couple into custody. After counselling and an assurance that their case would be expedited, they were let off with a warning.
The police said that no case had been registered in this regard.
Earlier this week, a similar incident had taken place in Andhra Pradesh's neighbouring Anantapur district.
A woman, identified as Shivamma from Ipperu, reportedly walked into her local MRO office with a bottle of petrol and a knife, alleging that she was not receiving her pension money for several months. She was pacified by officials and later sent back.
Last week, K Umamaheshwari, the MRO in Pathikonda in Kurnool district tied a rope across the entrance of her office chamber to prevent visitors from coming too close to her.
The official said that she was forced to take this step for her safety in view of the fears triggered after the incident with 37-year-old Vijaya Reddy in Abdullapurmet mandal on November 4.
Vijaya Reddy was burnt alive in her office by K Suresh over an ongoing land dispute. While the official was charred to death, her driver, who sustained burn injuries while trying to save her, succumbed the next day. Suresh, who was also on fire, succumbed a few days later.
The ghastly attack has created fears in the minds of officials in both the Telugu states, especially among revenue officials, who deal with the land issues.
(With IANS inputs)