Communal Tensions Flare Up In Telangana's Asifabad After Tribal Woman Raped, Brutally Assaulted By Auto Driver

Communal tensions erupted in Jainoor town of Asifabad district in Telangana on Wednesday with an agitated mob attacking and torching commercial establishments during protests after an auto-rickshaw driver allegedly sexually assaulted a tribal woman in the region.

As per the videos shared on the social media, a mob can be seen targeting shops in the market and pelting stones.

According to the report by Telangana Today, around 5,000 gathered in Jainoor as part of a bandh call given by various tribal organisations condemning the heinous crime. They set the commercial establishments on fire, pelted stones on religious structures, which turned into a communal conflict in the region.

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also raised concern over the communal tensions and wrote to Telangana DGP over the chaotic situation. He appealed for peace and said nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

“I have spoken to @TelanganaDGP regarding incidents of communal disturbances in Jainoor, Asifabad District, the @TelanganaDGP assured me that it is being monitored &additional forces are being send and action will be taken against people who take law in their hands,’ he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the BJP hit out at Congress-led state government over the law and order situation and doing politics of sympathy for minorities.

“Komaram Bhim is atrocious in Jainur, Asifabad district. Sheikh Makhdhoom was the rapist who raped a tribal girl. He tried to kill her for fear of filing a case. As the perpetrator belongs to a minority community, the Revanth Sarkar has the upper hand. An attempt to turn the rape case into an accident. This is the relatives of the criminal who attacked the tribals protesting for justice. Politics of sympathy for minorities. Evidence of shameless Congress rule,” Telangana BJP said in a post on X.

What’s the case?

According to the Asifabad Police, the incident took place on August 31 when a 45-year-old woman, belonging to ST Gondu caste of Devuguda village, was going to her mother’s home in Soyanguda. On her way, she got into the auto of accused Sheikh Makhdhoom in Raghavapur. The driver attempt to sexually assault and the victim raised an alarm. Out of fear of being caught, the accused driver hit her with a stick with the intention of killing her. He then left her on the road when she lost consciousness, thinking she was dead.

The local passerby noticed her and took her to the hospital where she shared her ordeal. Later on 01/09/2024 her younger brother filed a complaint in Sirpur U Police Station against the accused.

A case was registered under the SC/ST Act for attempted rape, attempted murder and murder.

DSP Sadayya Panthati took up the investigation of the case, and nabbed the accused driver on Tuesday.

The tribal rights organisations also staged a rasta-roko in Jainoor on Tuesday demanding capital punishment for the accused.