Forest staff allege abduction, attack by Srisailam MLA and followers

The forest staff of Nekkanti Range in Markapur Division of Srisailam Project Tiger alleged that Srisailam MLA Budda Rajasekhara Reddy and his followers abducted and assaulted some of their staff on August 19 (Tuesday) night.

It was alleged that the MLA and his followers were on their way to Srisailam, when they noticed a patrol vehicle of Forest Department at Shikharam on the borders of Nandyal and Prakasam districts. According to the forest staff, the MLA and his followers got infuriated with they did not salute the MLA. The MLA and his followers got down from their vehicle and allegedly picked up an argument with the forest staff.

Andhra Pradesh Junior Forest Officers Association, Markapur, unit president P. Karimullah and others at a press conference in Srisailam on Wednesday said that Mr. Rajasekhara Reddy and his followers abducted four forest staff by pushing them into their patrol vehicle and driving away.

“The MLA himself drove the vehicle and from 10 p.m. onwards they moved between Srisailam to Sunnipenta road during which they thrashed the staff,” he alleged. Later, they were taken to a guest house, where they were beaten again and let off around 2 a.m., he added.

The abducted staff includes Deputy Forest Officer Ram Naik, two Beat Officers, Guruvaiah and Mohan Kumar, and driver Karimullah. The staff belong to SC, ST and minority communities and the association demanded action against the MLA and his followers. The visuals of the alleged attack at the checkpost were captured on CCTVs.

The association demanded that Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who is also the Minister for Forests, to respond to the incident and sought the suspension of the MLA from the TDP. They also demanded an apology from the MLA and threated to boycott duties, if legal action were not taken against him.

The association took up the matter with their higher officials and also lodged a complaint with the Srisailam police. Srisailam Circle Inspector G. Prasada Rao did not respond to calls for a comment.