BJP MLA put under house arrest to avert clash

Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, January 14

Controversial BJP MLA T Raja Singh was today placed under house arrest by the Hyderabad Police after Singh announced his intentions of visiting communally disturbed Bhainsa mandal in Nirmal district here.

Singh represents Goshamahal in Hyderabad, the only constituency represented by the saffron party in the Telangana Assembly.

Meanwhile, the state police have arrested 40 persons so far in connection with the communal clashes at Bhainsa town in Nirmal district that broke out on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday on a petty issue of some youth making noise with altered silencers on their motorcycles. The police have issued a statement saying the situation was peaceful and under control.

The BJP MLA is known for his controversial utterances leading to embarrassing situations for his party. He refused to take oath as MLA from a pro-tem speaker, who belonged to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and then he said the AIMIM President was funding terrorist, besides advocating shooting of “outsiders in Assam”.

He had announced his plans to go to Bhainsa and visit the houses of the members of a particular community. But today he posted a video message saying, “I planned to go Bhainsa on Tuesday but before I could start, a police team placed me under house arrest.”

On Sunday several persons were injured, including some policemen, and property damaged when two groups clashed in Bhainsa.

The police have clamped prohibitory orders there to prevent further escalation of violence.

“The situation is peaceful and totally under control and we are supervising the situation,” a senior official said.

Internet services have remained suspended in the town. Some of the rioters allegedly cut off water pipes of the fire engines that were engaged in extinguishing the flames, district officials said, adding that some residents have also claimed that their houses were looted by an angry mob.

Movement of all political leaders to Bhainsa has been barred who try to provoke people concerning the clashes.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, who hails from Telangana, today spoke to the Telangana DGP and later tweeted saying, “I’m deeply troubled by the news of a violent attack on individuals and properties at Bhainsa, Telangana. Such actions are condemnable. Spoke to @TelanganaDGP on the need to provide security to all citizens and their properties. Also called for strict action against the miscreants.”

BJP’s Telangana state chief spokesperson K Krishna Saagar Rao claimed that few criminal mobs had “intentionally planned” and “physically attacked” Hindus, besides burning their vehicles and homes. He demanded a NIA probe into the incident.

Box: 40 held for Bhainsa violence

The state police have arrested 40 persons so far in connection with the communal clashes at Bhainsa town in Nirmal district

The police have issued a statement saying the situation was peaceful and under control