Harish Rao Demands Action in Khammam Minor Assault, Slams Telangana Govt

Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao strongly condemned the brutal sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl in Khammam, describing it as a shocking reminder of the complete collapse of law and order in Telangana under the Congress govt.Harish Rao, along with former minister Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, visited NIMS hospital on Thursday and met the minor girl, who is currently undergoing treatment. The leaders interacted with doctors to understand her medical condition and the treatment being provided. They urged the medical team to ensure the best possible care and assured the victim’s family of their continued support.Speaking to the media after the visit, Harish Rao said the incident, which took place four days ago in Khammam town, was deeply disturbing and heartbreaking .“The very thought of such a heinous crime against a 12-year-old school-going child brings tears to one’s eyes. It is a tragedy that forces society to bow its head in shame,” he said.He questioned the govt’s response to such a serious crime and accused it of showing complete negligence towards the victim.“The girl has suffered fractures in both hands and is currently unable to walk. Doctors say her recovery will be extremely difficult. A young life has been devastated,” he said.Harish Rao demanded that the government immediately constitute a fast-track court and ensure the harshest punishment for those responsible.“Only swift and strict punishment can act as a deterrent and prevent such crimes from recurring,” he said.He alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated significantly under the Congress government and claimed that five to six POCSO cases were being reported every day across the state.Referring to incidents involving minor girls in Yalal, Bomraspet, Basheerabad, Mominpet and Nirmal, Harish Rao said the increasing number of such crimes reflected the government’s failure to ensure the safety of children.Citing NCRB data, he claimed that crimes against children were rising in Telangana, with POCSO cases increasing from around 2,200 in 2024 to nearly 2,400 in 2025.Harish Rao said that during the BRS govt, women’s safety was strengthened through initiatives such as She Teams and the Women Protection Wing. He alleged that the present government had weakened the system by burdening senior officers with multiple responsibilities, thereby compromising women’s safety.He further stated that law and order had collapsed across the state, citing incidents such as daylight robberies in Karimnagar, the murder of retired DGP’s wife in Hyderabad and a major robbery at a mobile phone store in Khammam.He also criticised what he described as the government’s failure to provide free medical treatment to the victim.“The victim belongs to a very poor family. Since she was not admitted to a government hospital in Khammam, the family had to borrow nearly ₹40,000 for treatment at a private hospital. Even after being shifted to NIMS, doctors reportedly asked them to purchase medicines from outside. This reflects the government’s insensitivity towards the poor,” he said.Harish Rao alleged that the family was purchasing medicines with money received from donors through online transfers and questioned why the government had failed to ensure completely free treatment for the child.Harish Rao urged the government to provide ₹10 lakh as ex-gratia to the victim’s family, ensure that all required surgeries are conducted immediately and bear the entire cost of her treatment until she fully recovers.“The BRS party will stand firmly with this child and her family. We have already extended financial assistance through the party, and we will continue to support them and stand by them until she fully recovers,” he said.