Protest almost turns fatal for BJP workers

Hanamkonda (Warangal-U): A protest nearly turned fatal for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists when they tried to burn the effigy of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao during a demonstration demanding stringent action against a pervert who molested and murdered a nine-month-old infant on June 19.

It all started with BJP workers led by Warangal urban district president Rao Padma Reddy gathering at the Ambedkar Circle on Monday morning to stage a protest by burning the effigy of Chief Minister. The protestors demanded justice to the victim's parents by constituting a fast track court to speed up the trial.

It is learnt that party workers set ablaze the effigy of KCR in a hurry when the police tried to thwart their bid. While the jostling was on, one of the party workers brought a bottle of petrol and poured it on the effigy resulting in a sudden blaze.

In the melee, five party workers including Rao Padma Reddy who were standing close to the effigy ran helter-skelter and sustained burns. The other party workers who put off the fire rushed the injured to a private hospital.

While Yuva Morcha leader Bingi Srinivas suffered severe burns, the others escaped with minor injuries. It is learnt that Rao Padma and Bingi Srinivas underwent plastic surgery and are said to be doing well.

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders blamed police for being overenthusiastic. They found fault with the police for trying to foil their peaceful protest.

Holding TRS government responsible for the fire mishap at the Ambedkar circle, senior BJP leader Rao Amarender Reddy told The Hans India: "While people taking to streets demanding speedy justice to the victim's parents, the TRS party is busy celebrating groundbreaking ceremonies for their new party offices in all district."

Further, he accused the TRS government of throttling the voice of the Opposition.