Hyderabad: The last rites rally of deceased Agnipath protestor, D Rakesh, turned violent on Saturday when people attempted to attack the Warangal Railway station and BSNL office in Warangal.
The protestors also raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government.
“This is Modi government’s murder,” read one of the placards in the rally, blaming the Union government for the death of Rakesh.
Hundreds of people including the TRS party activists, and leaders were part of the rally wearing black ribbons and scarves that began at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Warangal.
“I demand the Centre withdraw the Agnipath scheme to save the lives of numerous other youths as they were not happy with this new scheme,” Kumaraswamy, father of D Rakesh accompanied by his wife and mother of deceased, Poolamma, both sobbing over the death of their son.
A shutdown was observed in the Narsampet Assembly constituency on a call given by TRS. Shops, business establishments, and educational institutions were closed in the constituency.
The last rites of Rakesh will be performed at Dabeerpet village later in the day. Police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any violence.
Rakesh was one of the youths who had reached Secunderabad railway station Friday morning from various parts of Telangana to stage the protest against the new scheme, which they believe will dash their hopes of joining the army.
TPCC chief A Revanth Reddy who was on his way to attend the funeral of the deceased was detained by the police mid-way at Ghatkesar. The Congress party condemned the arrest and questioned the “double standards” of allowing TRS leaders at the funeral and not leaders of the opposition.
Railway police opened fire to bring the situation under control. Rakesh, who was hit by a bullet, was shifted to Gandhi Hospital in a critical condition. Doctors said they tried CPR but could not revive him.
The deceased hailed from Dabeerpet village of Warangal district in Telangana and was a son of a farmer.
Rakesh, who was in his final year of graduation in Hanamkonda, was selected for army recruitment six months ago and was preparing for the written exam.
He is survived by his parents, a brother, and a sister. His sister is said to be working in the army.
The protestors resorted to violence, setting afire trains and cargo and vandalizing the station.
Rakesh’s death shocked his father Kumaraswamy, a farmer, mother Poolamma, and other family members. They rushed to Hyderabad.
After an autopsy at Gandhi Hospital, the authorities handed over the body to his family members.
Twelve injured were also admitted to the hospital. Doctors said they were trying to ascertain if these were bullet injuries or not.
Barring Jagannath Rangaswamy, who is from Kurnool in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, all the injured are from Telangana.
They have been identified as K. Rakesh (Karimnagar), J. Srikant (Mahabubnagar), G. Parshuram (Kamareddy), A. Kumar (Warangal), P. Mohan (Kamareddy), Narendra Babu (Khammam), L. Vinay (Mahabubnagar), Vidya Sagar (Asifabad), Mahesh (Vikarabad), Lakshman Reddy (Nalgonda), and Bharat (Nirmal).
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