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Communal tensions flared in Telangana’s Asifabad district on September 4 following protests over the alleged sexual assault of a 45-year-old woman from the ST Gond community in Devuguda village. The accused, auto-rickshaw driver Sheikh Makhdhoom, is alleged to have attempted to sexually assault the woman on August 31. When she cried out for help, he reportedly attacked her with a stick, leaving her unconscious by the roadside with the intention of killing her. Police shifted her to a hospital in the district, and now she is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad.
On September 1, the woman’s younger brother reported the incident to Sirpur U Police Station. DSP Sadayya Panthati then took over the investigation. After the woman regained consciousness, she reported the incident, leading to the accused driver’s arrest on September 3. The accused has been charged with sexual assault, attempted murder, and violations under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to a senior police official.
Protests escalate into violence
In Jainoor town, Asifabad district, tensions surged when a furious crowd attacked and set fire to commercial establishments. Approximately 5,000 people gathered for a bandh organised by tribal groups to protest the crime. The mob burned commercial buildings and threw stones at religious sites. Additionally, tribal rights organisations staged a roadblock in Jainoor, demanding the death penalty for the accused. The situation turned into conflict between two communities.
Curfew imposed, Internet services suspended amid unrest
Reports indicate that local authorities have imposed a curfew and issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in response to the unrest. Internet services have also been suspended as a precaution to prevent the spread of rumors and fake news. A senior police official confirmed that the situation is now under control, with additional forces deployed and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) called in to restore order.
Police engage with community elders
In an effort to reduce tensions, police have initiated discussions with community elders. Special teams are now investigating the arson and violence incidents to identify those responsible. Authorities are urging both communities to exercise restraint and maintain calm.
Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh accused AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi of staying silent about the Congress-led Telangana Government’s handling of crimes against women.
The BJP also took aim at the Congress Government in Telangana, led by Revanth Reddy, accusing it of favouring the accused because of his minority status. In a post on X, “Sheikh Makhdhoom was the rapist who attacked a tribal woman and tried to kill her to avoid legal consequences. There’s an attempt to frame this as an accident. This is a reflection of Congress’s politics of sympathy for minorities and the shameless rule under Revanth Sarkar.”
Reacting to the incident, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar expressed his deep concern on ‘X’, “I am deeply disturbed by the brutal assault on a tribal woman by anti-social elements in Jainoor Village, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad District. I have spoken with the victim’s family and offered my support.”
Bandi Sanjay Kumar also stated that he contacted the Telangana DGP, urging for prompt and impartial action against the perpetrators and those responsible for the attack. He emphasised the need to restore law and order in Jainoor swiftly and effectively, underscoring the importance of women’s safety and community peace.
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