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NRIs' bid to bail out Telugu student in U.S.

P. Ram Mohan

Telugu associations are making efforts to rescue him

NIZAMABAD: The Non-Resident Indian community in the United States is making allout efforts to get Sujith Venkatramolla, a 22-year-old student of engineering in University of Missouri-Rolla, deported at the earliest.

A gold medallist from Deccan Engineering College in Hyderabad, Sujith, who hails from Bonkanpally in Makloor mandal, was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action, resisting arrest, filing a false report of a bomb threat and making terrorist threats on February 28.

The threat initially raised concerns about possible terrorist attacks but it turned out that a despondent Sujith climbed the college building. Nothing more than ordinary powdered sugar and a knife were recovered from him after a university officer shot him with a stun gun.

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA), American Telugu Association (ATA) and Telangana Development Forum have appealed to the Indian Embassy and political leadership to rescue him and ensure his deportation. Over 300 NRIs responded within 12 hours of the launch of the signature drive.

He petitioned to Governor of Missouri State, Mayor of Rolla city, State Attorney, the U.S. Attorney-General and the Indian Embassy. Mr. Manthena told The Hindu from USA on Saturday that Sujith was presently lodged in Rolla local jail and his case would come up for hearing on March 23. A bond for a whopping sum of $ 2.50 lakh (One crore in Indian currency) has to be executed to secure bail. The local judge rejected a plea by the local defence team to reduce the bond size. Quoting Mr. Chad Picker, the defence team leader Mr. Rayadas maintained deportation was the only solution to save Sujith and other option was through political means. Under the charges, it would take a long time to secure his release and the accused person has to languish in jail for life.

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