Telangana journalist, who was 'critical' of TRS government, arrested in Hyderabad

A Telangana journalist was arrested in Hyderabad yesterday when he stepped out to buy groceries during the lockdown.

According to the News Minute, Raghu Ramakrishna reportedly worked for Tolivelugu and was "a critic" of the governing Telangana Rashtra Samiti. His family initially thought he had been kidnapped until the Mattampally police in Suryapet issued a statement saying he had been arrested.

The report noted that the police said he had been charged under penal sections including rioting, causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, and unlawful assembly.

The New Indian Express reported that Raghu was arrested for his alleged "involvement in a clash that took place between the tribals and BJP workers on one side and the police on the other at Gurrambodu thanda in Suryapet district in February". The report added that he was produced before a court and remanded to 14 days' judicial custody.

News Minute reported that journalist unions and opposition parties condemned Raghu's arrest.

"Raghu, who has been fighting against TRS government's fault lines and spreading awareness around public issues continuously, should be saved," read a statement from Sravan Dasoju, the national spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee. "...The TRS government is solely responsible for Raghu's safety and immediate steps should be taken to prevent any untoward development in this regard."

BJP leader Bandi Sanjay also condemned the arrest and accused the KCR government in Telangana of wanting to "silence the media". "Will journalists be arrested for pointing out the shortcomings of the government in our society?" he asked.