12 more held for killing of dalits

The police on Thursday reportedly arrested 12 persons in connection with the recent killing of Dalits at Lakshmipeta in Srikakulam district. While two prime accused Botcha Vasudeva Naidu and Avula Srinivasa Rao were learnt to have been arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Hyderabad, 10 others were arrested by the police in Srikakulam.

In Hyderabad, DGP (law and order) S A Huda said the CID officials arrested Botcha Vasudeva Naidu, the main accused in the ghastly incident, while he was hiding in his nephew’s house in the city. The CID did not confirm the arrest of Srinivasa Rao.

However, sources said the duo surrendered before the police and Srinivasa Rao is still being held by the CID without formal arrest. While Botcha Vasudeva Naidu is a former MPP, Srinivasulu is a local leader.

Meanwhile, 10 others who are accused in the attack were arrested by the police in Srikakulam on Thursday evening. They will be produced in the court Friday.

In the ghastly attack on June 12, five Dalits were killed and several others injured. They were attacked by a group from another community with bombs and sharp weapons over a land dispute at Lakshmipeta. The CID has identified 66 persons for their role in the incident and arrested 54 of them in Srikakulam a couple of days ago. The accused were booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act apart from various sections of IPC, including criminal conspiracy. With the latest arrests, all the 66 accused are now in custody.