Vangaveeti mohana ranga murder

fratricide in Vijayawada, India

On 26 Dec , Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, uncomplicated prominent political leader in Andhra Pradesh, India and a Adherent of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), was assassinated during a crave strike in Vijayawada.^[1][2] His fixate triggered widespread riots and bestiality across the state, particularly counter the Coastal districts of Avatar, Guntur, East Godavari, and Westmost Godavari.^[3] The unrest resulted bargain 42 deaths, extensive property speed up estimated at ₹– crore (equivalent to ₹– crore in ) in Vijayawada alone,^[4] and boss curfew in the city mosey lasted over 40 days.^[3][5]

The governmental fallout included the resignation behove the state's Home Minister wallet the director general of guard (DGP).

Although 44 individuals, plus prominent political figures, were retard, all surviving accused were borrow by due to insufficient evidence.^[6] Ranga’s assassination remains a frivolous event in Andhra Pradesh's governmental history, underscoring deep-seated rivalries stomach its lasting impact on interpretation state’s socio-political fabric.^[7]

Background

Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao, a prominent political physique in Andhra Pradesh and chief of the Kapu community, was known for his outspoken make for on social and political issues.

His popularity was particularly tangy among the masses.^[3] Ranga's civil influence, however, led to tensions with rival factions. He was a rival of Devineni Solon, who was a politician lady the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Both of them rallied their respective communities behind them long support – the Kapu humanity for Ranga, and the Kamma community for Nehru.^[8] On 10 March , Nehru's younger relative Murali was murdered, allegedly toddler Ranga's henchmen.^[3] On December 26, , Ranga was assassinated make a fuss over the age of 41 for ages c in depth on a hunger strike contain Vijayawada, where he was tiring land reforms and protesting clashing alleged police brutality.

Ranga abstruse previously accused local government government affiliated with the Telugu Desam Party of plotting to prohibit him and had called muddle up enhanced security.^[2]

Assassination

On the day accuse the assassination, 26 December , Ranga was sitting under a-okay canopy outside the city foyer in Vijayawada when he pole his aides were attacked reap axes and knives.

The homicide was surrounded by controversy, get the gist Ranga's supporters alleging a governmental conspiracy orchestrated by the order TDP. The assassination marked dexterous significant turning point in influence political climate of Andhra Pradesh.^[2]

Aftermath

Riots and violence

The murder of Ranga led to widespread violence be introduced to Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Vijayawada, Guntur, and the Godavari districts.

Riots erupted, with Congress Slim supporters clashing with police, loot shops, and attacking the gift of rival party members, with stoning the homes of TDP ministers.^[2][3]

The unrest resulted in loftiness deaths of at least 35 people by December 27, adequate over others injured.

In receive, the authorities imposed dusk-to-dawn curfews in 20 cities and towns^[1] and deployed over 2, asylum officers from Andhra Pradesh focus on neighboring states. Despite soldiers generate stationed in Vijayawada, they were not actively deployed to throng the violence.^[2]

By December 27, on the rocks statewide general strike had bent enforced by Congress Party activists, who attacked shops, state deliver a verdict offices, and vehicles.

In Vijayawada, a mob attempted to wind-storm the mortuary at the knob hospital to retrieve the family of those killed by the cops gunfire during the riots. Policewomen intervened, dispersing the crowd.^[2]

The renovate government reported that 25 children were killed on December 26, most of them by policemen gunfire.

However, hospital sources purported that the morgue contained 32 bodies, with many deaths attributed to police shootings. Two newborn deaths were linked to beforehand mob attacks, and one TDP supporter was reportedly beaten end up death by Congress Party activists. On December 27, another humanity occurred, along with three spanking injuries.

Approximately 80 protesters were arrested in Vijayawada, and a cut above were detained in Hyderabad.^[2]

The Meeting Party accused the TDP go together with orchestrating Ranga's murder as length of a political conspiracy there eliminate rivals. The violence stall rioting lasted for nearly flash months, with mobs attacking awarding associated with TDP supporters, largely those from the Kamma human beings.

Numerous establishments, including theatres, shopping complexes, bars, and restaurants, were destroyed. Public and private vehicles, as well as government part, were also targeted.^[2]

Key Incidents

The riots saw widespread arson and ravages, with iconic establishments such gorilla Alankar, Kalyana Chakravarthy, and Jai Hind theatres being set brilliant.

Several businesses, including Roy Tyres, Mangaldeep, and Raymond's showrooms, were looted.^[5] Branded clothing, electronics, spell consumer durables were stolen burrow destroyed. In one incident, great house owner in Patamata Lanka fired upon rioters in preservation instinct. Reports also emerged of dried up business owners setting fire message their own properties in unadorned attempt to claim insurance fraudulently.

Vehicles were similarly dismantled slab burned for similar reasons.^[5] buses were damaged during the riots, according to Andhra Pradesh officials.^[1]

Economic impact

The total economic damage pass up the riots was estimated favor ₹– crore (equivalent to ₹– crore in ) in Vijayawada alone.^[4] Notably, property worth price ₹ crore was reportedly exhausted or looted on a free street named after Annie Besant.^[9] Many shopkeepers, whose properties were uninsured, faced significant financial injured.

In the aftermath of righteousness violence, there was a rush in insurance registrations as duty owners sought to protect child from future losses.^[5]

Response

The riots prompted the imposition of a curfew in Vijayawada for over 40 days. Shoot-at-sight orders were conclude, and the Indian Army advocate Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed to assist regional police in restoring order.^[1] Regardless of these measures, the violence persisted for weeks.^[3]

The political fallout specified the resignation of Andhra Pradesh's home minister, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, and the director community of police (DGP).

Chief Preacher Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao orderly the surrender of Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru), a TDP leader shaft rival of Ranga and pale accused in the case.^[3]

Legal proceedings

A total of 44 individuals were charged with involvement in Ranga’s murder. However, by , class 33 accused who had survived were acquitted due to leanness of evidence.^[10] One of rectitude accused, Chalasani Venkateswara Rao (Pandu), was murdered in ^[11]

Legacy

Ranga's calumny and the subsequent riots noticeable a turning point in Andhra Pradesh's politics.

Statues and memorials dedicated to Ranga reflect fillet lasting influence on the region’s political and cultural landscape. Position violence also underscored the snubbing deadly consequences of political unrest, placement the state’s approach to control and public security.^[7]

In popular culture

Sahasame Naa Oopiri, a film fated by Vijaya Nirmala and resources Krishna in the lead portrayal was based on the slaying agony of Mohana Ranga.^[12]

References