Three cases have been booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with the recent clashes between BRS and Congress supporters in Markook, Siddipet district.
The cases have been registered against both locals and outsiders in connection with incidents during the confrontation.
The latest development comes days after tensions escalated in Markook following a ‘Congress-backed Dalit’ protest near the farmhouse of BRS president and former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Erravelli. The protest was held over ‘derogatory remarks’ by BRS MLCs against Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.
The protest triggered a counter-mobilisation by BRS supporters in the area, leading to confrontations between the two groups. Police intervened and detained several persons as tensions rose.
Four BRS leaders were injured during the clashes, according to the party, including former Markook MPP Krishna Yadav, former Gajwel Market Committee chairman Madasu Srinivas, Markook mandal BRS president Karunakar Reddy and former MPP Pandu Goud. BRS leaders alleged that Congress workers attacked them while police were taking them into custody.
The row further intensified after BRS cadres carried out a ‘purification’ ritual on roads used by the the Dalit Congress protesters, by sprinkling turmeric water. The incident drew criticism from the Congress and became a political flashpoint.
With three fresh cases now registered under the SC/ST Act, police are examining the incidents separately and verifying the involvement of those booked, including people from outside the locality.
