Hyderabad: Ex-BRS MLA Narender Reddy detained in Vikarabad DC Prateek Jain attack case

Hyderabad: Police on Wednesday detained former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Kodangal MLA Patnam Narender Reddy for his alleged involvement in the attack on Vikarabad district collector Prateek Jain, Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) chairman Venkat Reddy in Lagcherla of Kodangal.

The arrest follows growing tensions over the confrontation.

Narender Reddy had unsuccessfully contested against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy from Kodangal Assembly Constituency in Vikarabad.

Narender Reddy is the brother of Patnam Mahender Reddy who is now in the Congress. He was reportedly taken into custody at KBR Park when he was on a morning walk.

Narender Reddy was shifted to Vikarabad DPT Center from his residence in Film Nagar. One of the accused in the attack, B Suresh, a resident of Manilonda is reportedly a follower of Narender Reddy who is now absconding.

Four special teams were constituted by the police to trace the identity of Suresh, who instigated the villagers allegedly at the instance of the MLA.

Three cases were registered in connection with the violence at Lagcherla and authorities also suspended internet services in Dudyala mandal. The police on Tuesday arrested 16 farmers and remanded them.

Tension prevailed at Lagcherla on Monday after some villagers protesting the acquisition of their lands for a proposed 'pharma village' allegedly attacked the vehicles of the district authorities.

The protesters also attacked and injured Additional Collector Linga Naik and a DSP Srinivas Reddy when they went to rescue the Collector.

The incident occurred during a public hearing on land acquisition by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC).

Vikarabad, IGP multi zone-II V. Satyanarayana reviewed the situation on the same day and told the media that they had identified Suresh from Hyderabad who was posing as a farmer and indulging in rioting. He also spoke to Narender Reddy multiple times over the phone when the attack on Prateek Jain and other officials occurred in Lagcherla.

The police reportedly also took Narendra Reddy’s phone to verify his call data to ascertain his role in the attack on the Collector.

The police are carrying out their investigation based on the cell phone tower location. Further investigation is on.

BRS condemns Narender Reddy's arrest, terms it as conspiracy

Reacting to Narender Reddy's arrest, BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) said the former MLA's arrest was a proof of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's dominion rule in the state.

He claimed that the government is using unlawful arrests and intimidation to try to quell dissent.

"The arrest of Narender Reddy is a glaring illustration of Revanth Reddy's repressive policies, which include the threat of arrest for anyone who challenges the government. The detention of a former MLA for just addressing his supporters is disheartening. With undemocratic arrests, this government is trying to put an end to public uprisings in Lagcherla," the BRS leader said.

KTR also claimed that the government was planning to blame BRS for the turmoil in Revanth Reddy's home constituency of Kodangal. "Such actions would not deter the BRS," he cautioned.

Since the Telangana statehood agitation, we have experienced comparable repression. "They are wrong if they believe that arrests and criminal charges would frighten us. Our fight will be stronger the more they try to suppress us,” he said.

In addition, former minister and BRS Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao called for Narender Reddy's immediate release and denounced his detention.

"It is disgusting to witness a government using false accusations and nighttime arrests to silence anyone who questions its policies. Does this represent the principles of Indiramma Rajyam? placing farmers under arrest to make room for pharmaceutical businesses in agricultural areas," Harish Rao asked.

The former minister also declared that the BRS would keep fighting the oppressive Congress dictatorship and reveal its shortcomings and wrongdoings before the public.