Lokesh flays YSRC for Dalit youth's suicide

 Vijayawada: Telugu Desam national general secretary N. Lokesh on Wednesday expressed concern over alleged suicide by Dalit youth Mahendra unable to bear police harassment.

In a statement here, he pointed out that the suicide had taken place in East Godavari district’s Kovvur, the home assembly constituency of home minister T. Vanitha

Lokesh said this is indicative of how ruling YSR Congress is targeting Dalits even as Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is claiming that Dalits are close to his heart.

He pointed out that Vijaylakshmi, aunt of the Mahendra, is a zilla parishad territorial constituency (ZPTC) member of YSR Congress. She had pleaded with ruling party leaders to intervene when the youth had been taken into police custody.

But Mahendra could not bear harassment by police and committed suicide, the TD leader stated. He slammed YSR Congress government for failing to stop attacks on Dalits. He demanded action against police personnel responsible for suicide by the youth.