Attack on Dancers Association President Sumalatha Devi ▪️ Tension during General Body meeting ▪️ Death threats and police complaint
Hyderabad: Severe tension prevailed during the General Body meeting of the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA). The Film Chamber premises turned into a battlefield with pushing, shoving, and shouting, leaving fellow cine workers and industry elders shocked.
Association President V.V. Sumalatha Devi lodged a complaint at the Banjara Hills Police Station alleging that some individuals physically attacked her and threatened to kill her. The complaint stated that the incident occurred during the association's general body meeting held at Raghava Guest House in Indira Nagar. Sumalatha Devi alleged that some people had a pre-planned scheme to disrupt the meeting and illegally take away important records belonging to the association.
Attempt to take away records
She stated that when some people attempted to take away the minutes book, agenda papers, and other important association records, she tried to stop them. In this process, she stated in her complaint that some women and other individuals surrounded and attacked her. She alleged that they also attacked and injured association executive member M. Ramulu and a woman named Samili, who tried to intervene.
Allegations against several individuals
In her complaint to the police, she stated that some lady dancers on behalf of Raghu Master systematically and collectively attacked her, beat her severely, and abused her in vulgar language. Sumalatha Devi mentioned in the complaint that Likhitha, Poojitha, Kalyani, Sumathi, Vimala, Kokila, Madhurya, Sruthi, Sridevi, Yedukondala Srinu, and others participated in the attack. She also alleged that Sekhar Master, Raghu Master, Bhanu Master, Ajay Sai Master, Joseph Prakash Master, and others were trying to create a parallel association and instigating differences within the current association. Expressing suspicion that Federation President Anil Kumar Vallabhaneni had encouraged and played a role behind these developments, she requested a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Threats to resign from the post?
Sumalatha Devi stated in her police complaint that some individuals threatened to kill her if she did not resign from the president's post. Stating that there is a threat to her life and her family members, she requested the police to provide protection.
Appeal to examine CCTV and mobile videos
To bring the facts of the incident to light, she requested the police to collect and examine the CCTV footage from Raghava Guest House, along with mobile videos and audio recordings of the meeting. She also appealed for the recovery of the minutes book, agenda papers, and other association records that were allegedly taken away. Sumalatha Devi urged the police to register cases against the attackers under the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and other applicable laws, take action, and conduct an impartial inquiry into the role of the individuals alleged to be behind the incident.
