Finally taking action over the incident at Nerella, the Telangana government suspended a sub-inspector, holding him accountable for the alleged police torture that was meted out to Dalits in the region.
The suspension order came after 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.
This followed allegations that the police officer poured hot water on the private parts of the detainees and gave electric shocks to the arrested villagers.
Following this, North Zone IG, Nagi Reddy, issued the suspension orders.
“The inquiry also found the SI had ordered lathi-charge against people which left many injured,” the IGP was quoted as saying.
The entire controversy began after a sand lorry hit and killed B Bhudaiah of 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.
Earlier this week, the Congress urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to direct the Telangana government to take action against police officials allegedly responsible.
A delegation of Congress leaders led by All India Congress Committee Secretary RC Khuntia met the officials of both the commissions in New Delhi.
On July 31, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar called on the villagers in Karimnagar jail where they said police kept them in illegal custody for four days.
The Congress leaders urged the commissions to direct the Telangana government to register cases under the Scheduled Castes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the district Superintendent of Police and other police officials allegedly responsible for the torture.
This also comes two days after Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao met with victims of the incident.
KTR is also the legislator who represents the Siricilla constituency in the Telangana Assembly.
“I am a local man and they are my people. Today, they asked me what sin they had committed in preventing sand smuggling. Whatever happened to them is unfortunate," he said.
After the suspension, KTR also took to Twitter to announce the update on the case.
As promised, the Inspector who was found to have used excessive force according to the DIG's report has been suspended https://t.co/ExvZxiwaev
— KTR (@KTRTRS) August 10, 2017
IANS inputs