Attack on Forest Officials : KTR, Indrakaran condemn attack

Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president K T Rama Rao condemned the attack on forest range officers by the party's Zilla Parishad vice-chairman Koneru Krishna. Rama Rao stated that there was nobody above law of the land.

I strongly condemn the atrocious behaviour of Koneru Krishna who attacked a forest officer who was doing her job. He has been arrested & a case booked already; no one is above law of the land

— KTR (@KTRTRS) June 30, 2019

Taking to Twitter, Rama Rao said, "I strongly condemn the atrocious behaviour of Koneru Krishna who attacked a forest officer who was doing her job. He has been arrested and a case booked already. No one is above the law of the land."

Forest Minister A Indrakaran Reddy also condemned the attack on the forest officer and expressed unhappiness over the incident.

He said strict action would be taken against the respondent as per the law after inquiry. If there are any issues, they should bring it to the notice of the government but should not involve in attacks, Minister said.

Reacting on the incident, the BJP State unit condemned the attack on a woman Forest Range Officer C Anitha and stepped up its ante against the ruling TRS party.

Speaking to The Hans India, party State official spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao condemned the attack and said it exhibits an extension of the TRS leaders' politics of the violence perpetrated against the BJP cadre and leaders by taking over the law and order in the State into their hands.

"Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is losing his grip over the law and order issue while the State Home Minister remained non-functional. Neither, the Chief Minister, Home Minister nor DGP had come out immediately to condemn the attack to send a message."

Initially, the government tried to save the MLA, his brother and police officials worked hand-in-glove. It was only when pressure started building up as the issue has gone national that it is acting by suspending the officials and the TRS leader and Zilla Parishad Vice-chairman Koneru Krishna was forced to resign.

Krishna Saagar Rao expressed shock over the police officials in uniform who remained mute spectators while TRS leader and his supporters attacked forest official in uniform.

It sets a bad example for others and demanded a thorough inquiry on the role of the local police, TRS MLA and his brother in the entire incident and bringthose responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, the State police and TRS leadership have swung into action following an 'Urgent Official Note' sent by the Divisional Forest Officer.

Besides, senior Forest Officials have also reportedly told the government that it was a pre-planned attack, in which, the local police and TRS MLC and his brother were on the same page.

Following this, orders were issued suspending the Kagaznagar DSP P Sambaiah and Kagaznagar Rural Circle Inspector P Venkateswarlu for failing in discharge their duties.