(Image source from: Etvbharat.com)

Dalit youth's suicide triggers protests in AP:- Tension arose in the Dommeru village of East Godavari District as additional forces were deployed in response to the suicide of a Dalit youth, Bontu Mahendra. It is believed that the young man took his life as a result of the humiliation he endured from the police. On Wednesday evening, locals demonstrated on the main road in Kovvur village with Mahendra's body in response to the suspension of the local sub-inspector (SI) Bhushanam linked to the case. Furthermore, the villagers refused to allow ministers who wished to console the family to enter the village the following day. The incident stemmed from an arrest of the youngster for a minor offense involving the destruction of a YSRCP flex banner on November 13.

Mahendra, unable to take the affront, swallowed poison and passed away while being treated at a medical facility in Vijayawada. In response, the locals assembled in protest and requested Home Minister Taneti Vanitha, the local legislator, to step down. It has been brought to attention that Mahendra's aunt is a ZPTC member of the mandal. Allegedly, Vanitha's personnel staff was informed about the police taking away the Dalit youth and yet, no response was taken. As a result, young people became angry and attacked the police, resulting in the additional SP G Venkateswar Rao and four constables being injured and having to be moved to a medical facility in Rajamahendravaram for treatment. Happily, the situation was later brought under control.

During the afternoon, the local residents raised slogans against Vanitha and Social Welfare Minister Meruga Nagarjuna, who had arrived in the village to offer condolences to the family and offer compensation. They called for the Home Minister to take responsibility for the purported mistreatment of Mahendra

(Video Source: ETV Andhra Pradesh)