Asifabad, June 30: The Telangana Police on Sunday arrested 14 people including a TRS leader in connection with attack on a woman forest officer in Asifabad. TRS leader Koneru Krishna Rao allegedly led a mob that attacked Kaghaznagar Forest Range Officer Ch Anitha and other officials during a plantation drive in Sarasala village. Two police officers have been suspended as well.

Koneru Krishna Rao, who was recently elected as Zilla Parishad vice-chairman, is the brother of TRS MLA from Sirpur-Kaghaznagar assembly constituency, Koneru Konappa. Krishna Rao and others have been booked under Sections 353, 332, 307, 147, 148, 427, 507 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Prior to her arrest, Krishna Rao stepped down from the post of ZP vice-chairman in protest against forest officials.

In a video, Rao and his supporters are seen thrashing Anitha with sticks. She stands atop a tractor and attempted to pacify the mob. However, the angry mob doesn't listen and continues hitting her with sticks. One of Krishna Rao's supporters attacked Anitha with a stick and she fell down bleeding from the head. She had identified a reserve forest land but some villagers claimed ownership of the land.

"Few villagers of Sarsala arrived and started using filthy language and also attacked Ch Anitha, Forest Range Officer Kaghaznagar, led by Koneru Krishna, Vice Chairman Zilla Parishad (sic)," Forest Divisional Officer of Kaghaznagar said in a press note. "Due to the attack by Koneru Krishna and the mob of locals, she was injured seriously and immediately shifted to Kaghaznagar for medical treatment and other necessary formalities,” the note added. Madrasa Teacher Beaten Up, Pushed Off From Moving Train for Not Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

In a video, Rao and his supporters are seen thrashing Anitha with sticks. She stands atop a tractor and attempted to pacify the mob. However, the angry mob doesn't listen and continues hitting her with sticks. One of Krishna Rao's supporters attacked Anitha with a stick and she fell down bleeding from the head. She had identified a reserve forest land but some villagers claimed ownership of the land.

"Few villagers of Sarsala arrived and started using filthy language and also attacked Ch Anitha, Forest Range Officer Kaghaznagar, led by Koneru Krishna, Vice Chairman Zilla Parishad (sic)," Forest Divisional Officer of Kaghaznagar said in a press note. "Due to the attack by Koneru Krishna and the mob of locals, she was injured seriously and immediately shifted to Kaghaznagar for medical treatment and other necessary formalities,” the note added. Madrasa Teacher Beaten Up, Pushed Off From Moving Train for Not Chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

TRS working president KT Rama Rao strongly condemned the atrocious behaviour of the party leader. "He has been arrested and a case has been registered already. No one is above the law of the land,” he tweeted.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2019 10:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).