BRS workers booked under SC/ST Act after stand-off with Mynampally Rohit

Tension gripped Medak town after police registered cases against 23 BRS workers following a clash with Congress leaders ahead of municipal polling. Four workers were injured, and arrests were made. BRS alleged attempts to intimidate party cadres

Medak: Tension prevailed in Medak town after police registered cases against workers of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) following a clash involving leaders of the Indian National Congress ahead of the Medak municipality polling.

Hours before polling, Congress leaders led by Medak MLA Mynampally Rohith Rao visited the 15th ward of the municipality on the night of February 9. Alleging that the leaders were attempting to lure voters by offering liquor and money, BRS workers obstructed them and tried to hand them over to the police.

The BRS workers objected to Congress leaders meeting voters late at night despite the enforcement of the election code and restrictions on campaigning. During the altercation, Congress leaders allegedly attacked BRS workers, and a vehicle belonging to the MLA reportedly hit a few workers while leaving the spot. At least four BRS workers sustained injuries.

Subsequently, Congress leaders approached the police, following which a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against 23 BRS workers. The case was based on a complaint lodged by Congress worker Godhala Akhila, who alleged that the BRS workers misbehaved with her and attacked the MLA and other leaders.

Medak town police registered an FIR against the accused. Though officials declined to disclose the exact number of arrests, Medak DSP Prasanna Kumar confirmed that some of the accused had been arrested and produced before the court, while the remaining were absconding. The cases left BRS leaders and cadres shocked.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons allegedly set fire to the autorickshaw of a BRS worker in the ward. The victim’s family suspected the involvement of Congress workers. BRS leaders alleged that Congress leaders were attempting to create fear among party cadres in the area.