In heartbreaking news, a family of four including two children committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving train near the Panyam railway station in Kurnool on November 3.
The shocking incident of alleged police atrocity has put the government on the spot, with opposition parties calling for a protest. A video of the family has gone viral like wildfire in which family head Abdul Salaam, who was an auto driver, can be heard accusing police of physical and mental harassment.
He was investigated by cops in a theft case. Before working as an auto driver, Abdul Salaam had worked at a jewellery store in Nandyal’s Rojakunta area. He was arrested for allegedly stealing 3 kg gold from the shop but he was later granted bail.
Nearly a week ago, a passenger in Salaam’s auto accused him of Rs 70,000 theft, and the police booked him.
Salaam was reportedly beaten and humiliated by the police on both occasions. Fearing police crackdown and left scarred by the humiliation, Salaam and his family decided to commit suicide.
In the video, Salaam can be heard saying, “I haven’t done anything wrong. I have nothing to do with either theft. I can no longer bear the torture. No one will help us. That’s why at least death will bring us some peace of mind.”
The suicides of Salaam (45), his wife Noorjahan (38), daughter Salma (14) and son Kjalandar (10) have sparked a massive outrage among people and invited the intervention of CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy. People demanded for justice, as a result of which accused CI Somasekhar Reddy has been suspended and Head Constable Gangadhar has been arrested.
IGP Sankha Brata Bagchi and senior IPS officer Arif Hafeez have also been appointed as special officers to investigate the case.
“If one is found to be guilty of any offence, be it anybody, he/she will be acted against irrespective of who the person is,” DGP Gautam Sawang said.
Meanwhile, the TDP has given a call for ‘Chalo Nandyal’ demanding justice for the deceased family members.
“The government was trying to escape from its responsibility of bringing the guilty to the book by giving financial assistance. This would be of no use since all the family members ended their lives because of the unbearable harassment,” said the TDP.
