Vijayawada: In a significant development in the sensational Mariyamma murder case, Thulluru police in Guntur district arrested 34 more accused on Friday and presented them before the court. The number of arrested accused so far stands at 78, including YSRCP leader and former Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh.
The case revolves around the murder of Mendum Mariyamma, a 55-year-old farm worker, who was killed in a violent clash in Velagapudi village on Dec 27, 2020. The dispute arose between two Scheduled Caste (SC) groups over the naming of a newly constructed arch for a cement road in the SC colony. While one group suggested naming it after Dr B R Ambedkar, the other group demanded it be named after Babu Jagjivan Ram.
According to Murali Krishna, Thulluru DSP, the clashes began as heated arguments escalated into stone pelting. Mariyamma, who was present at the site, suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Thulluru govt hospital. She succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment. Two others were slightly injured.
The incident triggered widespread outrage. Mariyamma’s family members and a few villagers staged a dharna on the Velagapudi main road, demanding justice and action against those responsible. Mala Mahanadu leaders joined the protest, organising a ‘rasta roko’ and raising slogans against Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh and MLA M Nagarjuna, alleging their involvement in the violence.
The accused are said to be YSRCP activists and followers of Nandigam Suresh. A case was registered back then, but the investigation was expedited after the NDA alliance came to power in the state.
Nandigam Suresh was arrested in Oct this year and sent to remand for his alleged role in the case. He is also facing charges in various other cases and has sought bail, even approaching the Supreme Court. However, the court declined his plea.
