Telangana forest officer C Anitha who has been availing treatment after being brutally attacked by a mob with sticks, led by Sirpur MLA Koneru Konappa's brother Koneru Krishna, broke down on Monday while recalling the barbaric attack on her.
Speaking to the media, the officer said, “I was born in a village and come from a family who aren't literate. I studied in government colleges and joined the forces to do service to the society.” Breaking down while recalling the horrific attack on her, she added, “I had never imagined that I would be beaten like this without even considering that I am a woman. I strongly object to this.”
The forest officer who was performing her duty of planting trees in Sarasala village, Kagaznagar on Sunday, as part of an afforestation programme, was attacked by the villagers led by Koneru Krishna. One member of the mob hit her on the head with a stick repeatedly. In the whole episode, police remained mute spectators. Videos of the brutal attack have gone viral, with wide condemnation from the IPS Association and politicians.
Subsequently, Krishna along with 12 other accused were arrested and booked under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 307 (Attempt to murder), 147 (Rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 427 (Mischief causing damage), 507 (Criminal intimidatio), 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC.
Meanwhile, ruling party TRS's working president KTR condemned the incident on Twitter and announced that the accused has been arrested. "I strongly condemn the atrocious behaviour of Koneru Krishna who attacked a forest officer who was doing her job. He has been arrested & a case booked already; no one is above the law of the land,” KTR tweeted.
However, the main accused’s brother, TRS MLA Koneru Konappa, was caught on camera telling villagers to allegedly lie to the media that the forest officials had attacked them two weeks ago.
In the latest development, taking action against police for their inefficiency to prevent the attack, Telangana DGP, Mahender Reddy has placed Kagaznagar DySP and Rural CI under suspension on the charges of negligence in discharge of duties.