A selfie video posted in the social media by a Muslim farmer threatening to commit suicide following alleged encroachment of his land by a YSR Congress party leader with the support of local police inspector in Mydukuru in Kadapa district landed the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in an embarrassing situation.
The Muslim farmer – Akbar Basha – lamented in the video that a YSRC leader Tirupal Reddy, who claimed to be relative of the chief minister, encroached upon his 1.5 acres of land.
When the farmers went to the police station to lodge a complaint, he was threatened by the police inspector Konda Reddy.
Basha alleged that the CI had abused him in filthy language and threatened to kill him in encounter, if he came in the way of Tirupal Reddy.
He was forced to sit in the police station all through the night, while the land grabbers encroached his land.
“I have two daughters and have no other way of livelihood. If the chief minister doesn’t do justice to me within two days, I have no option but to commit suicide along with my family members,” he said in the selfie video.
Needless to say, the video came in as yet another weapon for the Telugu Desam Party to launch a tirade against the Jagan government.
Stating that the TDP would stand by the family of Basha, party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the police had become stooges of the YSRC leaders.
“Who would come to the rescue of the common man when the police are resorting to threats instead of providing justice as per the law?” he asked.
He reminded that in the past, too, all the four members of Abdul Salaam family committed suicide by falling under a speeding train, as they were unable to bear police harassment at Nandyal.
Apparently realising that the Basha episode might damage the government’s reputation, the chief minister reacted quickly and ordered Kadapa district police to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action.
Kadapa SP K K N Anburajan said the video posted in the social media came to his notice.
Akbar gave a petition at Spandana programme on September 9 explaining his grievance and the government gave instructions to the authorities to do justice to the family.
Reacting to the alleged threat by Mydukur inspector Konda Reddy, Anburajan said an inquiry by an officer of Additional Superintendent of Police rank had been ordered. Till the inquiry was completed, Konda Reddy had been kept out of his duties, the SP said.
“The inquiry would be completed within seven days and soon after the report is obtained, stringent action would be taken against the official concerned,” he said.
