Relatives go on rampage after TRS leader’s murder

The four houses of accused in the murder of TRS leader which were set on fire by a mob in Vikarabad on Monday.

The four houses of accused in the murder of TRS leader which were set on fire by a mob in Vikarabad on Monday.  

A day after the brutal murder of a 38-year-old TRS party leader in Mylaram village of Dharur mandal in Vikarabad district on Sunday, tension mounted after his relatives set ablaze four houses of the accused persons.

Reports reaching here said the angry mob went on the rampage at around 11.30 a.m. in the village on Monday, setting afire to the houses of four accused who allegedly murdered Pendyala Srinivas, a farmer-turned-politician in broad daylight on Sunday.

Vikarabad DSP Sirisha Raghavendra said swift action by the police and fire personnel who were already deployed in the village ensured normality within 30 minutes. “We deployed more than 70 police personnel in the village and counselled the villagers against indulging in any unlawful activity on Sunday,” she said.

However, the mob who came from other villages to attend the funeral procession went on a rampage, she said. “The situation was brought under control and everything is peaceful now,” DSP said.

She said that no causalities were reported and they have arrested 17 persons indulging in the violent act. “All were relatives of Srinivas’ wife Rajitha,” she said.

On Sunday afternoon, while returning home after attending a marriage, Srinivas was waylaid by a bike-borne gang who hacked him to death. Police suspect land dispute between the families of the victim and killers could be reason behind the murder.

The four accused were identified as Prashanth, Arun, Vasu and Ratnam.