CHITTOOR: A 25-year-old woman was publicly humiliated and assaulted in Narayanapuram village of Kuppam mandal, on Monday. The incident came to light on Tuesday, sparking outrage over the inhumane treatment.
The woman was tied to a tree and physically attacked over a debt repayment, allegedly by a man named Munikannappa. The victim has been identified as Sirisha.
According to reports, Sirisha's husband, Timmarayappa, had borrowed Rs 80,000 from Munikannappa three years ago. After failing to repay the loan, Timmarayappa abandoned Sirisha and their children, leaving the burden of repayment on her.
Despite working as a daily labourer to support her children and repay the debt, Sirisha was subjected to public abuse for the delaying the payment.
On Monday afternoon, as she was walking along the road, Munikannappa reportedly verbally abused her, threatened to kill her, and forcibly dragged her to a neem tree, where he tied her up and physically assaulted her.
He also allegedly attacked villagers who tried to record the incident on their phones. Local residents immediately informed the Kuppam police, who registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS.
Perpetrators of assault must face harshest legal consequences: Naidu
Local residents informed Kuppam police, who registered a case under relevant sections of the BNS. The main accused, Munikannappa was taken into custody on the same day.
Meanwhile, CM Chandrababu Naidu took serious note of the incident and directed officials to take the strictest possible action against the accused. CM Naidu insisted that such barbaric acts must never be repeated and directed district officials to provide full support to the victim’s family.
“This is a grave injustice. The perpetrators must face the harshest legal consequences. We will not tolerate such cruelty towards women,” the CM stated.
CM announces Rs 5 lakh aid, promises edu for children
Later in the evening, the CM spoke to Sireesha over the phone, and inquired about the incident. Sireesha revealed past harassment by the perpetrators. He asked about her children’s education, encouraged her to ensure their studies continue, and promised full government support.
Learning of her financial struggles, Naidu announced Rs 5 lakh in aid and assured the government would take responsibility for her children’s education. Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and TDP MLC Kancharla Srikanth reacted swiftly to the incident.
The Home Minister reached out and spoke to the victim through a video call and consoled her. They strongly condemned the inhuman act and assured her of the government’s full support.
Condemning the Kuppam incident, Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh posted on X, “The incident in Narayanapuram, Kuppam Mandal, where a woman was tied to a tree and treated inhumanely for not repaying a loan, has caused me deep distress.
The government is taking such actions very seriously. The perpetrators of this incident have already been arrested. The coalition government gives the highest priority to women’s safety. Whoever is involved in such actions will be strictly punished.”
Sireesha alleged that the accused, Muni Kanappa, along with three others, carried out a pre-planned attack with the intent to kill her. Expressing grief she said that her husband had borrowed money from several people to support his brother, as well as to meet other family needs. She added that she has been struggling to pay the interest on these loans.