KCR announces Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to Rakesh's family

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed shock and grief over the death of Rakesh, who died in the railway police firing while participating in a dharna against the Agnipath scheme.

Rakesh hails from Dabirpeta village in remote Khanapur mandal of Mahabubabad district and is studying his final year degree at a private college in Hanmakonda. He had cleared the physical test for joining the army and was waiting for the selection process. He was disappointed after learning about the Agnipath scheme. Along with his 14 friends, he came to Secunderabad to participate in the protest.

"He was inspired by the music of his older sister who is now serving in the Border Security Force (BSF) in the state of West Bengal and wanted to join the armed forces," said his mother Poolamma.

KCR announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to Rakesh's family and also one government job to an eligible member in the family. He said that Rakesh was the victim of wrong policies adopted by the Centre.

The Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the family members of Rakesh. He made it clear that he would safeguard the interests of Telangana citizens.

The funeral procession of Rakesh, has started in Warangal. It will be held from the MGM in Warangal to his hometown Dabirpet. A large number of party leaders and locals were present at the funeral under the auspices of the TRS. Ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Satyavathi Rathode, MLCs Kadium Srihari, Basvaraju Saraiah, Srinivas Reddy, MLAs Vinay Bhaskar, Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, Nannapaneni Narender, Muthireddy Yadagiri Reddy and other public representatives were present.