HR Forum seeks probe into attack on RTI activist by Razole MLA’s gunman and cops

KAKINADA: The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has urged the SP of Konaseema district to initiate a probe into the recent attack on prominent RTI and environmental activist Chavvakula Venkateswara Rao by an MLA’s gunman and some cops.

He was brutally beaten up by the Sakhinetipalli sub-inspector, the Malkipuram assistant sub-inspector and some other cops, the HRF said.

HRF state secretary Y Rajesh and its district president Mutyala Srinivasa Rao made the demand after they went to the spot and collected details of the incident.

They said Venkateswara Rao was talking to his friend by parking his vehicle on the left side of the road without creating any hurdle to the traffic -- near Mendupalem bridge in Kesavadasupalem village of Sakhinetipalli mandal, at night, on July 30.

“Razole MLA Rapaka Varaprasad who was passing by stopped his car and abused Venkateswara Rao in filthy language. Later, the gunman of the MLA, Dilip, beat up the activist. The MLA called the Sakihinetipalli police and directed the cops to beat up the activist. Sakhinetipalli SI Phani kumar, Malkipuram ASI Satyanarayana and constable Prasad came in and beat up Venkateswara Rao severely.”

The Malkipuram SI registered a case and the activist was produced before the judicial first class magistrate court at Razole. After observing the injuries on the body of the victim, the magistrate ordered a medical examination. Based on the medical report, the magistrate granted bail to the victim and released him, the HRF leaders said.

The human rights forum said the Malkipuram police registered a false case against the activist. They urged the government to order a detailed probe and take action against accused Sakhinetipalli SI Phanikumar, Malkipuram ASI Satyanarayana, constable Prasad, MLA’s gunman Kalidas Dilip, Malkipuram SI Hari Sastry and the duty doctor who initially issued a wrong medical report to the victim.