Telangana News: Communal tensions erupt in Jainoor after ‘rape and assault attempt’ on tribal woman

In Asifabad, Telangana, communal tensions escalated on Wednesday as protests intensified over the alleged sexual assault of a woman from the ST Gondu caste in Devuguda village. An autorickshaw driver, Sheikh Makhdhoom, allegedly attempted to sexually assault the 45-year-old woman on August 31.

The driver then beat the woman with a stick when she raised the alarm. The driver intended to kill the woman and left her lying on the side of the road when she fell unconscious.

On September 1, the woman's younger brother filed a complaint against the accused at Sirpur U police station. Charges of attempt to rape and murder were filed under the Supreme Court and State law.

DSP Sadayya Panthati started investigating the case and nabbed the accused driver on Tuesday.

Communal tensions erupted in Jainoor town in Asifabad district of Telangana, where angry mobs attacked and set fire to commercial establishments.

Accordingly Telangana todayA mob of about 5,000 people gathered in Jainoor following a strike call issued by various tribal organisations against the crime. They set fire to shops and pelted religious buildings with stones.

The tribal rights organisations also held a Rasta Roko in Jainoor on Tuesday and demanded death penalty for the accused.

Raising alarm over communal tensions, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi 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 sent and action will be taken against those taking law into their own hands,” he said in a post on X.

The BJP also sharply criticized the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana. X (formerly Twitter) said: “Since the perpetrator belongs to a minority, Revanth Sarkar has the upper hand.”

“Komaram Bhim is gruesome in Jainur, Asifabad district. Sheikh Makhdhoom was the rapist who raped a tribal girl. Afraid to file a complaint, he tried to kill her. 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.