Driver arrested for attempting to rape tribal woman in Asifabad, Telangana

Kumuram Bheem Asifabad (Telangana) (India), September 5 (ANI): A car driver was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape and murder a Scheduled Tribe woman in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana, police said on Thursday.

The victim lives in Devuguda village and was on her way to her mother’s village in Soyanguda on August 31 when the incident occurred.

According to police, a 45-year-old woman belonging to St. Gondu caste of Devuguda village was walking to her mother’s village Soyanguda via Raghavapur on August 31 when she was hit by an unidentified vehicle. She was rushed to the hospital and later referred to Gandhi Hospital Hyderabad.

Later on September 1, her younger brother lodged a complaint at Sirpur (U) police station and a case was registered. During investigation, the survivor narrated the ordeal in her statement to the police, police added.

She stated that she got into the car of accused Zainur Sonupatel in Zainur to go to her mother’s house in Soyanguda.

As the car was passing through Raghavapur, the driver attacked her and tried to rape her. When she screamed and resisted, the driver knocked her down and beat her with a stick to kill her.

The driver threw her on the road thinking she was dead and fled. Later, a case was registered and the accused was arrested. DSP Sadayya Panthati also confirmed the incident.

The incident in particular sparked tensions in Jainoor sub-district on Wednesday when an angry mob attacked and set fire to shops during the protests.

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also expressed concern over the inter-communal tension and wrote to the Telangana Chief Minister about the chaotic situation. He appealed for peace and said no one should take the law into their own hands.

“I spoke to @TelanganaDGP about the incidents of communal riots in Jainoor, Asifabad district. @TelanganaDGP assured me that the situation is being monitored, additional forces will be deployed and action will be taken against those taking law into their own hands,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the BJP sharply criticized the Congress-led state government for poor public order and its sympathy policies towards minorities.

“Komaram Bhim is gruesome in Jainur, Asifabad district. Sheikh Makhdhoom was the rapist who raped a tribal girl. Fearing to file a complaint, he tried to kill her. Since the perpetrator belongs to a minority, Revanth Sarkar has the upper hand. An attempt to turn the rape case into an accident. These are the relatives of the criminal who attacked the tribals protesting for justice. Politics of sympathy for minorities. A proof of shameless rule of Congress,” the Telangana BJP said in a post on X.

In a statement, the Telanagana CMO said that law and order in Jainoor is currently under control following violent clashes recently over the alleged sexual assault and attempt to murder of an Advasi woman. (ANI)