The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has expressed serious displeasure over the manner in which the police handled the investigation and arrests in a clash case reported on January 14 within the jurisdiction of the Kondapuram Police Station in Kadapa district.
Although members of both groups were injured in the same incident, the Commission questioned why one group was allegedly issued notices under Section 41A and released on station bail, while nine members belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community were booked in the case. Of them, five were reportedly arrested and sent to judicial remand immediately after being discharged from hospital.
NCST Member Questions Kadapa DSP
During the inquiry into the matter, NCST member Jutoth Hussain Naik reportedly expressed strong displeasure over the police response and questioned Kadapa DSP Murali Naik.
A video of the inquiry has also gone viral on social media.
The Commission reportedly raised several questions regarding the investigation, particularly the different treatment allegedly meted out to the two groups involved in the clash.
Clash Took Place on January 14
A clash between two groups took place on January 14 within the limits of the Kondapuram Police Station. Several people from both groups sustained injuries in the incident.
According to the victims, police allegedly issued only Section 41A notices to members of one group and released them on station bail. At the same time, cases were registered against nine members of the ST community.
The victims alleged that five of the ST members were arrested and sent to judicial remand immediately after they were discharged from hospital.
Allegations Over Arrest of Dera Shekar
The victims have also alleged that Dera Shekar, who was named as the ninth accused in the case, was illegally arrested on April 28.
They questioned why injured members of the ST community were allegedly arrested as soon as they were discharged from hospital, while members of the other group involved in the same incident were not arrested.
The alleged disparity in the police action has become one of the key issues raised before the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Commission Questions Absence of SP
The NCST also reportedly expressed serious displeasure over the absence of the district Superintendent of Police from the inquiry held in Hyderabad.
Kadapa DSP Murali Naik appeared before the Commission on behalf of the SP. The Commission reportedly questioned his presence, asking why the SP had not appeared before it and why the DSP had been sent instead.
According to the victims’ representatives, NCST member Jutoth Hussain Naik strongly objected to the explanation and questioned the police officials over the manner in which the case was handled.
“Everyone Is Equal Before the Law”
The NCST member reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the police response and questioned the officials over the alleged differential treatment of the two groups.
The victims said the Commission member told the officials, “Do not give us unnecessary explanations. Why did the SP not appear? Everyone is equal before the law.”
The Commission reportedly raised several questions regarding the conduct of the investigation, particularly the registration of cases against injured ST members and their arrest immediately after they were discharged from hospital.
Kondapuram Case Comes Under NCST Scrutiny
The inquiry by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has once again brought the Kondapuram clash case into focus in Kadapa district.
The allegations that the police took different actions against the two groups involved in the same incident have come under the Commission’s scrutiny.
There is now considerable interest over what further action or directions the NCST may issue following its inquiry into the case.
