VIJAYAWADA: A 55-year old farmhand was dragged from his house, tied to a tree and thrashed for not attending a Panchayat meeting called after his son was accused of harassing a woman in Sayampalem village of Teegalvancha Narsapuram mandal in West Godavari district.
Adamilli Sanjiva Rao, who was finally untied after his son-in-law intervened, attempted suicide by consuming pesticide as he was unable to handle the humiliation. He was rushed to a government hospital, but his condition is critical.
Adamilli Sanjiva Rao, his wife Nagamani and sons Madhu and Nagendra Prasad, who belong to the SC community eke out a livelihood as farmhands in the village.The Adamillis, police said, have had bad blood with the Manukonda family in the village. Two days ago, the Manukondas, who are of the same caste, complained to caste elders against Sanjiva Rao’s son Nagendra Prasad, accusing him of harassing a young married woman in their family.
The elders summoned Sanjiva Rao’s family, but they did not pay any heed to the order.Meanwhile, expecting trouble, Nagendra Prasad left the village. When Rao did not attend the meeting, the woman’s uncle M Raju thrashed him. Police have registered cases against Raju and a few others who assaulted Sanjiva Rao.