On Wednesday night, Naik reported chest pain at Sangareddy prison and was taken to a local government clinic. However, prison officials did not provide proper medical care or notify his family, allegedly trying to cover up the situation. After experiencing another suspected heart attack on Thursday morning, Naik was transported to Sangareddy Government Hospital in handcuffs and chains, in a police vehicle instead of an ambulance. His family, who were denied access to him at the hospital, condemned the treatment as inhumane.
Updated On – 12 December 2024, 03:51 PM
Hyderabad: A harrowing incident, in which an arrested farmer, who complained of chest pain and a suspected heart stroke in Sangareddy jail, was taken to hospital in handcuffs held on a chain by a constable has sparked widespread outrage. The tribal farmer, Heerya Naik, was brought to hospital in chains from jail, where he was in judicial custody along with 16 other farmers detained for opposing land acquisition in Lagacherla a month ago.
On Wednesday night, Naik complained of chest pain at the Sangareddy prison and was taken to a local government clinic. However, prison officials failed to provide adequate medical care or inform his family, allegedly attempting to suppress the matter. After another suspected heart attack on Thursday morning, Naik was taken to the Sangareddy Government Hospital in handcuffs and chains, in a police vehicle rather than an ambulance. His family, who were denied access to him at the hospital, condemned the treatment as inhumane.
In response to mounting public pressure and intervention of the BRS drawing media attention, authorities have agreed to shift Naik to either Gandhi Hospital or NIMS in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.
The undertrials, including Naik, were arrested for their alleged involvement in an altercation with Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain during protests against land acquisition for a proposed Pharma Village in Lagacherla. Several detainees have reportedly been suffering from health issues during their incarceration.
Speaking to media, BRS working president KT Rama Rao expressed outrage over the inhumane treatment of Naik under the Congress government, calling the incident a glaring example of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s cruel mentality. He urged the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court to take up the matter suo motu and appealed to the Governor to order an independent inquiry.
He also called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to direct the Congress government to withdraw the unjust cases against tribal farmers and their families. “The government attempted to conceal this affair from his family and treated him inhumanely. Even when he was finally taken to the hospital, he was brought in chains instead of a stretcher or ambulance, which is utterly inhumane,” he said.
“The government’s treatment of Heerya Naik is inhumane and unconstitutional,” Rama Rao stated, citing violations of Articles 14, 16, and 19 of the Constitution. He also alleged breaches of the BNSS Act and police and jail manuals, which prohibit the handcuffing of undertrial prisoners excluding terrorists and those facing severe criminal charges.
The BRS working president also condemned the alleged third-degree torture inflicted on the arrested farmers. “The only mistake of these farmers was resisting the government’s coercive land acquisition by the Chief Minister and his brothers for corporate interests,” he remarked, adding that the State government is intentionally delaying legal procedures without submitting required documents to prolong their imprisonment.
Rama Rao highlighted the plight of the 17 farmers and former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy, all facing health issues while in custody. He said the BRS is ready to provide medical and legal assistance to the affected farmers and their families, if the government remains negligent.
“This is a clear vendetta. These farmers are languishing in jail because of Revanth Reddy’s arrogance and greed for land. Their families have been threatened with dire consequences if they speak out,” he added. He slammed the Congress government for prioritising political pride over public welfare, demanding the immediate release of all arrested farmers and withdrawal of cases against them.