As expected, the Nampally police in Hyderabad on Saturday arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and former MP Balka Suman for allegedly instigating Singareni coal mine workers to resort to violence and destroy public property during a party meeting on May 26.
A team of police officials led by Abids Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Praveen Kumar went to Telangana Bhavan in the afternoon and arrested him amid a tense situation, as BRS workers staged strong protests and raised anti-government slogans.
He was later shifted to the Nampally court for judicial remand.
The Nampally police registered a case against Suman under Sections 326(g), which criminalises mischief by fire or explosive substances to destroy public property, 351(3) and 353(1)(b), read with Sections 55 and 61(2)(a), pertaining to serious criminal intimidation, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Speaking to reporters at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS leader alleged that the Congress government was targeting him for questioning its policies and accused the ruling dispensation of suppressing opposition voices.
“If we question the government, they are sending us to jail. During the Telangana movement, more than 250 cases were filed against me. Even during the Kyathanpalli municipal election, I was jailed. Now again, the Congress government is targeting me,” he said.
The BRS leader alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its promise of providing hereditary jobs in Singareni and claimed that his criticism over the issue had led to the action against him.
“Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Chennur MLA G. Vivek are trying to derive sadistic pleasure by imprisoning me. We will continue to question the deceptions of the Congress government,” he remarked.
The controversy erupted over remarks made by Suman during a meeting of coal mine workers belonging to the Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Samakhya (TBGKS), affiliated with the BRS, at Telangana Bhavan on May 26.
He had reportedly called for “militant activity” in protest against the government and Singareni authorities.
In his speech, which went viral on social media, Suman said protests and press meets alone would not be sufficient and that more aggressive action was necessary.
He allegedly called for setting fire to the Singareni GM’s office at Mandamarri by gathering a crowd and destroying the building.
He also allegedly urged party workers and supporters to intensify protests, including laying siege to offices, disrupting railway lines and targeting Singareni infrastructure.
He was also reportedly heard suggesting actions such as organising rail rokos, damaging railway tracks and even setting fire to Singareni Bhavan if necessary.
