Lagcherla: KTR named in remand report

Hyderabad: In a new twist to the Lagcherla incident that can have major political ramifications, the name of BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao figured in the remand report against former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy, who has been arrested in connection with the violent assault of Vikarabad district collector Pratheek Jain and other revenue officials at Lagcherla village of Dudyal Mandal in Vikarabad district during a public hearing on land acquisition for setting up a pharma unit in the area.

According to police, “On interrogation, (Patnam) Narender Reddy confessed to his involvement in the criminal conspiracy aimed at destabilising the Congress government and also to gain political mileage under the directions of Rama Rao and others.”

A team of police from Vikarabad arrested Narender Reddy at KBR Park and shifted him to Kodangal where he was produced before the court. The police questioned the former MLA and recorded his statements. They said that at least 19 persons, who don’t have any lands in the area, created ruckus.

The police on Wednesday filed a remand report before the Kodangal court against Narender Reddy by framing charges hours after his arrest. In the remand report, police said that Narender Reddy was in touch with the key accused B. Suresh over phone on November 11, when the government was conducting a public hearing at Lagcherla village. Police also stated that Narender Reddy had made 84 calls to Suresh since September.

Police recovered Narender Reddy’s mobile phone for further verification. The remand report says that the arrested accused had confessed that they had executed a criminal conspiracy that was hatched by Narender Reddy, who also extended financial and moral support.

Later in the day, Rama Rao went to Reddy’s house and assured his family that the BRS will stand with them and take every step needed to secure the former MLA’s release. He said that the police were acting like a private army of Revanth Reddy, and did not even allow the local MP, D.K Aruna of the BJP, to enter Lagcherla.

“But the same police allowed Tirupathi Reddy and 300 of his followers into the village just because he is Revanth Reddy’s brother and is going around threatening the villagers that only if they agree to give their lands will those arrested from the village be released,” Rama Rao said.

Meanwhile, Tirupati Reddy visited the Vikarabad collector's office and inquired about the incident. He also interacted with Pratheek Jain.

Speaking to media persons later, Tirupathi Reddy said that it was a deliberate act by antisocial elements.

Meanwhile, Aruna, who was stopped by the police at Manneguda on her way to Lagcherla, staged a protest by squatting on the ground. Subsequently, she met Pratheek Jain for first-hand information about the unruly Lagacharla flare up.

The Telangana IAS officer's association condemned the attack and sought stern action against the perpetrators. The association stated that such acts of violence would not deter government officials from performing their duties.