Taking note of the alleged torture of Dalits by police personnel in Telangana, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to state DGP Anurag Sharma, over the incident that occurred in Nerella in Siricilla district.
The notice has asked the DGP to hold a fair and independent enquiry into the matter of alleged illegal detention and torture of Dalits and OBCs from Nerella village, DC reported.
The NHRC also pointed out that the police did not responded to the complaints of locals, regarding the deaths caused by sand-laden lorries of contractors in the area.
The lorries were notorious for overloading of sand, and drove at high speeds, disregarding the safety and security of the villagers, TOI reported.
The entire controversy began after a sand lorry hit and killed a local from Nerella village on July 2. This death, had sparked massive anger, as this was the fourth such death from nearby villages.
After the incident, police detained eight villagers (Dalits) from Nerella of Rajanna-Siricilla district for allegedly torching a sand-laden truck.
The victims were then allegedly subjected to third-degree torture, and also claimed to be verbally abused with casteist slurs.
They also made allegations that a police officer poured hot water on the private parts of the detainees and gave electric shocks to the arrested villagers.
On Thursday this week, the Telangana government suspended a sub-inspector, holding him accountable for the alleged police torture.
Karimnagar range DIG Ravi Varma submitted a report to Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma, and held Sircilla CCS SI B. Ravinder responsible for using excessive force.
Meanwhile a delegation comprising of opposition leaders like TPCC working president Bhatti Vikramarka, Telangana TDP working president A Revanth Reddy, and CPI leader Chada Venkat Reddy, met with the DGP on Friday, and demanded action against the District Superintendent involved.
The delegation told the DGP that SP Vishwajit Kampati and his staff also participated, as the locals were being tortured, The Hindu reported.
The Incident had attracted severe criticism from political parties and human rights organisations along with massive protests.
Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao, who is also the legislator who represents the Siricilla constituency in the Telangana Assembly, also met with victims of the incident.
The NHRC gave the DGP four weeks time, to conduct the enquiry, and submit a report on the matter.