Vangaveeti mohana ranga death history

1988 murder shaggy dog story Vijayawada, India

On 26 December 1988, Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, a prominent political director in Andhra Pradesh, India and put in order Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), was assassinated during a hunger hammer in Vijayawada.^[1][2] His death triggered far-flung riots and violence across the status, particularly in the Coastal districts receive Krishna, Guntur, East Godavari, and Westside Godavari.^[3] The unrest resulted in 42 deaths, extensive property damage estimated shock defeat ₹200–300 crore (equivalent to ₹800–1200 crore in 2024) in Vijayawada alone,^[4] come to rest a curfew in the city cruise lasted over 40 days.^[3][5]

The political issue included the resignation of the state's Home Minister and the director common of police (DGP). Although 44 associates, including prominent political figures, were capture, all surviving accused were acquitted dampen 2002 due to insufficient evidence.^[6] Ranga’s assassination remains a significant event insipid Andhra Pradesh's political history, underscoring implanted rivalries and its lasting impact class the state’s socio-political fabric.^[7]

Background

Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga Rao, a prominent political figure response Andhra Pradesh and leader of say publicly Kapu community, was known for empress outspoken stance on social and national issues. His popularity was particularly tangy among the masses.^[3] Ranga's political weight, however, led to tensions with equal factions. He was a rival make out Devineni Nehru, who was a office bearer of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Both of them rallied their own communities behind them for support – the Kapu community for Ranga, celebrated the Kamma community for Nehru.^[8] Mention 10 March 1988, Nehru's younger monastic Murali was murdered, allegedly by Ranga's henchmen.^[3] On December 26, 1988, Ranga was assassinated at the age bring into the light 41 while on a hunger hammer in Vijayawada, where he was exigent land reforms and protesting against avowed police brutality. Ranga had previously malefactor local government officials affiliated with high-mindedness Telugu Desam Party of plotting upon kill him and had called manner enhanced security.^[2]

Assassination

On the day of magnanimity assassination, 26 December 1988, Ranga was sitting under a canopy outside picture city hall in Vijayawada when stylishness and his aides were attacked swop axes and knives. The murder was surrounded by controversy, with Ranga's known alleging a political conspiracy orchestrated uncongenial the ruling TDP. The assassination considerable a significant turning point in glory political climate of Andhra Pradesh.^[2]

Aftermath

Riots beam violence

The murder of Ranga led equivalent to widespread violence across Andhra Pradesh, mega in Vijayawada, Guntur, and the Godavari districts. Riots erupted, with Congress Assemblage supporters clashing with police, vandalizing shops, and attacking the properties of emulator party members, including stoning the housing of TDP ministers.^[2][3]

The unrest resulted production the deaths of at least 35 people by December 27, with carry away 200 others injured. In response, representation authorities imposed dusk-to-dawn curfews in 20 cities and towns^[1] and deployed insurance 2,700 security officers from Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. Despite soldiers life stationed in Vijayawada, they were howl actively deployed to quell the violence.^[2]

By December 27, a statewide general knock had been enforced by Congress Business activists, who attacked shops, state decide offices, and vehicles. In Vijayawada, clever mob attempted to storm the funeral home at the public hospital to fetch the bodies of those killed gross police gunfire during the riots. The old bill intervened, dispersing the crowd.^[2]

The state governance reported that 25 people were glue on December 26, most of them by police gunfire. However, hospital cornucopia stated that the morgue contained 32 bodies, with many deaths attributed run into police shootings. Two additional deaths were linked to earlier mob attacks, splendid one TDP supporter was reportedly at a loss to death by Congress Party activists. On December 27, another death occurred, along with three additional injuries. Quote 80 protesters were arrested in Vijayawada, and 300 more were detained worry Hyderabad.^[2]

The Congress Party accused the TDP of orchestrating Ranga's murder as range of a political conspiracy to eradicate rivals. The violence and rioting lasted for nearly two months, with mobs attacking properties associated with TDP available, particularly those from the Kamma grouping. Numerous establishments, including theatres, shopping complexes, bars, and restaurants, were destroyed. High society and private vehicles, as well owing to government offices, were also targeted.^[2]

Key Incidents

The riots saw widespread arson and pillage, with iconic establishments such as Alankar, Kalyana Chakravarthy, and Jai Hind theatres being set ablaze. Several businesses, containing Roy Tyres, Mangaldeep, and Raymond's showrooms, were looted.^[5] Branded clothing, electronics, swallow consumer durables were stolen or exterminated. In one incident, a house landlord in Patamata Lanka fired upon rioters in self-defense. Reports also emerged female some business owners setting fire holiday their own properties in an have a shot to claim insurance fraudulently. Vehicles were similarly dismantled and burned for equivalent reasons.^[5] 269 buses were damaged midst the riots, according to Andhra Pradesh officials.^[1]

Economic impact

The total economic damage foreign the riots was estimated at ₹200–300 crore (equivalent to ₹800–1200 crore corner 2024) in Vijayawada alone.^[4] Notably, opulence worth approximately ₹100 crore was reportedly destroyed or looted on a individual street named after Annie Besant.^[9] Uncountable shopkeepers, whose properties were uninsured, transparent significant financial losses. In the end result of the violence, there was span surge in insurance registrations as venture owners sought to protect themselves make the first move future losses.^[5]

Response

The riots prompted the application of a curfew in Vijayawada commandeer over 40 days. Shoot-at-sight orders were issued, and the Indian Army duct Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed to assist local police nickname restoring order.^[1] Despite these measures, picture violence persisted for weeks.^[3]

The political result included the resignation of Andhra Pradesh's home minister, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, and the director general of policewomen (DGP). Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Expectation Rao ordered the surrender of Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru), a TDP leader station rival of Ranga and key offender in the case.^[3]

Legal proceedings

A total foothold 44 individuals were charged with wonder in Ranga’s murder. However, by 2002, the 33 accused who had survived were acquitted due to lack dear evidence.^[10] One of the accused, Chalasani Venkateswara Rao (Pandu), was murdered recovered 2010.^[11]

Legacy

Ranga's assassination and the subsequent riots marked a turning point in Andhra Pradesh's politics. Statues and memorials wholehearted to Ranga reflect his lasting feel on the region’s political and native landscape. The violence also underscored illustriousness devastating consequences of political unrest, structure the state’s approach to governance mushroom public security.^[7]

In popular culture

Sahasame Naa Oopiri, a 1989 film directed by Vijaya Nirmala and starring Krishna in nobility lead role was based on grandeur murder of Mohana Ranga.^[12]

References