Tractor dumps mud load on two women relatives; \'attempt to kill\' alleged

VISHAKHAPATNAM: A woman and her daughter had a miraculous escape when a tractor-load of mud was dumped on them in an alleged bid by three of their relatives to kill them. Police, however, said this might not be an intentional act.

The shocking incident took place in Haripuram village under Mandasa mandal in Srikakulam district on Monday. The victims were Kotra Dalamma, 60, and her daughter Majji Savitri, 40.

Reports said these women had a dispute over their land with the son of Dalamma’s sister, Kotra Rama Rao, of the same village. The case remains in the court for the last seven years. Recently, Dalamma and her daughter staged a dharna during a village panchayat session in protest against Rama Rao’s “attempts” to grab her land.

On Monday morning, Dalamma came to know that Rama Rao was trying to level the land next to her house by dumping mud and debris, using a tractor. She along with her daughter rushed to the spot and began arguing with Rama Rao.

At that time, the driver of the tractor released the lever and the entire mud fell on the women, nearly burying them alive.

Locals rushed to the spot and extricated the women from the heap of mud.

A video shot on the dumping of mud on the women went viral and senior police officials ordered a probe.

“We have inherited this piece of land. But, Kotra Rama Rama Rao and his brothers Kotra Ananda Rao and Kotra Prakasa Rao are refusing to give us our share in the family property. He grabbed it and is now trying to kill me. He also threatened to kill my husband. He wants us to leave the village for good,’’ Dalamma told the media.

“Both the victims and the accused Rama Rao are related to each other. The land dispute is in court. The lever accidentally came off, releasing the mud on the women who were standing behind the tractor,’’ Mandasa SI Ravi Kumar told Deccan Chronicle. He said a case is being filed and the three accused brothers will be arrested.