Telangana cops drag protesting student by hair; video goes viral

HYDERABAD: A video went viral on social media on Wednesday showing two Telangana policewomen dragging a protesting student.

The video shows two policewomen on a scooter chasing a female protester and the one riding a pillion pulling her by her hair, making the girl fall and cry in pain. The student was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and she was protesting at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU)  on Wednesday.

In #Telangana, A female #ABVP worker protesting against #TelanganaGovt is dragged by her hair by #TelanganaPolice. pic.twitter.com/UbrR8UnGDy

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) January 24, 2024

The video triggered public outrage and, as the police action drew heavy criticism from the opposition, Rajendranagar police issued a clarification stating that the action by two lady constables was unintentional and they wanted to grab the woman protester’s hand.

“ABVP students were protesting at the Agriculture University. The police reached there and tried to disperse them. A woman student tried to run and meanwhile, two women cops, while trying to grab her hand, caught her hair. It was not intentional”, said Nagendra Babu, Inspector of Police, at Rajendranagar Police Station.

Opposition leaders, including Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, raised serious concerns over police brutality and demanded stern action.

Kavitha posted on X, “The recent incident involving Telangana police is deeply concerning and unacceptable. Dragging a peaceful student protester and unleashing abrasive behaviour on the protestor raises serious questions about the need for such aggressive tactics by the police”.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha demanded an apology from Telangana Police and sought National Human Rights Commission involvement in the matter. “This arrogant behaviour demands an unconditional apology from the Telangana Police. Urging the Human Rights Commission to take swift and strict action against those involved. This behaviour cannot become a norm and must be condemned by all alike,” said Kavitha. (ANI)