Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

On fast seeking justice

Staff Reporter

Police firing victim alleges raw deal, demands compensation

VIJAYAWADA: Demanding that the State Government bear his medical expenses and provide livelihood to his family, Dasari Sudhakar Babu launched hunger strike in front of the Sub-Collector's office on Thursday. His wife Yasoda and son Shyam Kumar accompanied him. He announced that he would continue his agitation till he got a firm assurance from the Government.

A resident of Vallurivari Street in Krishnalanka, Mr. Sudhakar Babu was injured in police firing in the early hours of May 22, 1991, when the police had issued orders prohibiting movement of people in the city after the killing of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He had sustained bullet wound in the firing and lost his right leg. He also lost his job in a printing press.

Mr. Sudhakar Babu said that though he had been fighting for compensation for the last 15 years, there was no response from the Government. "On that night I came out of my house to attend nature's call. Subba Rao, the then sub-inspector of Krishnalanka police station, opened fire from the close range. Many of my neighbours witnessed the attack," he recalled.

A two-year-old girl was shot dead and two others sustained bullet wounds on the same night. "The police registered a false case against me. The case, however, was quashed by the court," he said.

Court directive

The court directed the State Government to provide employment to Mr. Sudhakar Babu and the district administration sanctioned dealership of a fair-price shop to him. He did not accept it, as he felt that he could not run it. Though he had run a telephone booth for a couple of years, he closed it recently since the income was not sufficient to meet the medical expenses.

"I can get treatment to my injured leg in a private hospital in Hyderabad only by spending Rs. 4 lakhs. Since I was injured in police firing and lost my job due to my disability, it is the responsibility of the Government to bear the treatment expenses and to arrange a means of livelihood to my family," he said.

When contacted, district Collector Navin Mittal said that the district administration would provide treatment to Mr. Sudhakar Babu in any Government hospital. "We have already allotted a fair price shop to him, for which he is not eligible. What else we can provide?" he asked.

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