GADDAMVARI YADAWALLI (NALGONDA DT.): Villagers of this hamlet in Kanagal mandal have not forgotten the happenings of gram panchayat elections five years ago. They are still in the grip of fear of the police.

The year 2001 brings back bitter memories to the villagers. On August 17 that year, Vanam Krishnayya of CPI(M) and Bommakanti Kanakaiah of TDP were shot dead by the police. "The Chandur Circle Inspector Bhadri Setti opened fire on the two killing them on the spot. He had not even warned before opening fire," Vanam Bhiksham, brother of Krishnaiah, told The Hindu on Tuesday. "My aged parents still weep for my brother. ," he said.

Kanakaiah's wife Chandrakala recalled, "He had his dinner and went out with sheer curiosity to know what was happening at the polling station.

The police who mistook him for rioters killed him," Chandrakala said. When the irate villagers staged a dharna, the revenue officials announced an ex gratia of Rs.1 lakh for the bereaved families. Bhiksham and Chandrakala were given jobs. "To date we have not received the promised ex gratia despite our best efforts to get it sanctioned," Bhiksham, who is working as a watchman at a hostel in Bhongir, said. He had come to the village to vote but the ghost of last elections still haunts him. The presence of police is sending shivers down the spines of youngsters.

"After the firing, a group of policemen barged into my room and beat me severely. I was hospitalised for a week," Linga Swamy, another victim, said. However, the Inspector in question had gone scot-free, the villagers claimed.

The villagers alleged that police still harass the youngsters. "Police booked cases against 30 persons. We, the victims of police brutality, are still being harassed by the police," another youngster rued.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail