BRS Leaders Detained to Block Visit to Parigi Amid Farmer Issues
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad, April 7 (NationPress) In a significant move, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) deputy leader in the Telangana Legislative Assembly and former minister T. Harish Rao, along with several other party members, was placed under house arrest on Tuesday. This action aimed to stop them from traveling to Parigi in the Vikarabad district, where they intended to engage with farmers impacted by the industrial park project.
Additionally, former minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and various other leaders from the former Ranga Reddy and Vikarabad districts also faced similar detentions.
To thwart Harish Rao's plans, police enhanced security around his residence.
In statements to the media, Harish Rao criticized the detentions, questioning why the government felt threatened when they merely sought to hold a peaceful ‘dharna’. “Is this what we call a people’s government?” he inquired.
In parallel, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao condemned the house arrests of Harish Rao and his colleagues, deeming these actions as illegal.
Former MLAs Mahesh Reddy, Narender Reddy, Menthuku Anand, and the district president of Vikarabad, along with other leaders, were also detained.
Rama Rao described the government's actions as cowardly, especially since these leaders were en route to support farmers safeguarding their land.
He asserted that silencing dissent through police force is tantamount to undermining democracy.
Rama Rao vocally condemned the alleged unlawful acquisition of 1,200 acres of farmland in Kadlapur and Rapolu villages within the Parigi constituency for the purpose of establishing an industrial park.
He accused the current Revanth Reddy administration of neglecting its promises to the populace, now intent on seizing the lands of the vulnerable.
Rama Rao pointed out the ongoing hardships farmers face due to unfulfilled schemes such as ‘Rythu Bharosa’, farm loan waivers, and the ‘Six Guarantees’, while the government pursues land acquisitions under the guise of industrial development.
He claimed that the government has not introduced a single industry over the last two-and-a-half years and displays an unchecked desire to seize land.
He stressed that BRS leaders have long endured arrests and fabricated legal challenges, remaining steadfastly committed to the people's cause since the statehood movement.
Rama Rao warned that the government’s threats and intimidation tactics would not deter their ongoing struggle on behalf of the people.