A group of suspected Maoists allegedly kidnapped Nalluri Srinivas Rao, a TRS leader from Kothur village of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district in Telangana on Tuesday. At around 10:15 pm, a group of 15 Maoist insurgents - some armed with guns and some carrying sticks - arrived at the leader's home, assaulted and dragged him away, according to reports.
The 45-year-old former member of the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) was at his residence when the unidentified group arrived at his residence. According to the statement given by his wife to the police, three of the insurgents entered the house while others stood guard. They allegedly assaulted Srinivas accusing him of grabbing tribal lands. The Maoists also accused the TRS leader of extending crop loans at exorbitant rates, reported Times of India.
Srinivas's wife, Devi, insists her husband was only helping the public. The group reportedly hit her and their son with sticks. Devi is appealing for the release of her husband. "They also pointed a gun at me. We were not allowed to step out of our house," said Devi reported PTI.
Police have formed special teams and are trying to trace the leader. Assistant SP (Bhadrachalam) Rajesh Chandra told the newspaper, "His phone is switched off but we are following up the case. We are also coordinating with Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh police.”
"We are following it up. We want him to come back immediately.This could extortion attempt, all efforts are being made with coordination from other states," said District Superintendent of Police Sunil Dutt. The police are also not ruling out a land dispute to be the reason behind the abduction.
Police said that around 150 to 200 villagers of Kothur, Cherla and surrounding villages along with the relatives of the TRS leader have crossed over to Chhattisgarh. Their aim is plead for the release of Srinivas. The police have booked sections under arms act, kidnapping and other sections.
In November 2015, Maoists kidnapped 6 TRS leaders from the Cherla mandal of Khammam district. They were later released in January the following year.