Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered an inquiry after a man who was arrested in connection with last month’s attack on government officials in Vikarabad district was taken to a local hospital in handcuffs. The inquiry came after his relatives objected to the handcuffs.
According to officials, Hirya Nayak, a 38-year-old resident of Lagacherla village, had been taken to Sangareddy district hospital on Thursday morning after he complained of pain and difficulty breathing. He had been taken to a local clinic the night before but had returned to the Sangareddy jail, where he’s currently lodged.
“Even while he was lying on the bed, one wrist was handcuffed to the bed’s railing,” Ravi, a relative, said.
Nayak had been one of 16 people who were arrested for the attack on Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain, Kodangal Area Development Authority Chairman Venkat Reddy and several revenue department officers during protests against land acquisition in Lagacherla village on November 13. Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) MLA P Narender Reddy was also arrested over the incident.
The village, where the government is looking to set up a pharmaceutical city, comes under Kodangal Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
The Telangana government cancelled plans to acquire land in the villages of Lagacharla and Polepally in Vikarabad district following allegations of arbitrary arrests, assault on women, and police excesses.
After his family, who were informed late about his hospitalisation, objected, CM Reddy condemned the incident. A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said Reddy was taking the incident seriously and had sought a detailed report.
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The state government also decided late Thursday to shift Nayak to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad for better treatment. Meanwhile, BRS called the incident “despicable” and “inhuman”.
“I’m requesting the government to withdraw the false cases filed against these poor tribal farmers and release them from prison,” he told the media.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
