MRPS activist dies: K Chandrasekhar Rao announces Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to woman's kin

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday announced that an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh would be made to the family of MRPS activist S. Bharati who died while participating in an agitation outside the Hyderabad collectorate demanding categorisation of SC reservations.

Mr Rao said one member of her family would be now be offered employment and her children would receive free education until post-graduation.

The Chief Minister informed the Assembly said that Bharati had died of health issues. “The police were shifting MRPS activists from the collectorate in a vehicle when Bharati fell ill. The police officials immediately took her to the Osmania Hospital, but she died while undergoing treatment. We have also examined the video footage of the incident,” he said.

He said the Assembly resolution on categorisation was with the Centre. An all-party delegation would be sent to Delhi to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss the matter.

The debate on the land survey was halted when the Opposition demanded a statement on the Bharati issue. The Speaker was forced to adjourn the House for an hour. After Mr Rao made the statement, the House was adjourned for the day.