Telangana police transfer officer after viral video shows verbal abuse, assault on lorry driver
Hyderabad: A video circulating on social media shows a Cyberabad traffic police officer verbally abusing and hitting a lorry driver, igniting public anger and widespread criticism that came to light on July 18 (Thursday).
The incident, which took place on July 17 at the Gandi Maisamma junction near the Outer Ring Road, has drawn condemnation from citizens and politicians alike.
According to the reports, the video depicts Jeedimetla Traffic Sub-Inspector Yadagiri confronting the driver, who had stopped due to a technical issue, for allegedly parking in a no-parking zone. Despite the driver’s explanation, Yadagiri is seen hitting him and using abusive language.
Motorists have reacted with outrage, emphasizing that while penalties for parking violations are justified, such aggressive behavior from law enforcement personnel is unacceptable.
Many have called upon the Telangana government to implement stricter measures to address police misconduct and invest in better training programs for traffic police.
Some Twitter users urged the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) to look into this issue and protect the reputation of the Telangana Police. Others noted that assaults on citizens by police are not uncommon.
KTR, the working president of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former minister, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the incident. Tagging the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP), KTR questioned the officer’s conduct and highlighted the fact that police salaries are funded by public taxes.
What absolute garbage language is this @TelanganaDGP ? Is this acceptable behaviour?
Please remember that it is the citizens that pay the salaries of the police men & officials
My tweet is not just about one incident but have been watching several videos in social media where… https://t.co/6KRrB2RzRi
— KTR (@KTRBRS) July 18, 2024
KTR expressed concern about similar incidents gaining traction online and urged the authorities to prioritize sensitization training for police officers who interact directly with the public.
In response to the viral video, the Telangana Police issued a statement on Twitter. They clarified that the incident took place within the Cyberabad Traffic Limits, specifically in Jeedimetla. The statement assured the public that disciplinary action has been taken against the officer involved, who has also been transferred from the station. The Telangana Police reaffirmed their commitment to serving the public 24/7.
