Hyderabad: The Telangana Backward Classes Commission inspected the site of the Mallanna Jatara assault in Nagar Kurnool district after assailants attacked a Backward Classes couple and their two-month-old infant later died.
Commission Chairman G. Niranjan and members Rapolu Jaiprakash, Tirumalagiri Surender and Balalakshmi Rangu visited Kummera village on Wednesday. The visit followed reports that a group attacked Ganesh and Monika during the Mallanna Jatara held on February 19, 2026. The infant died later, officials informed the panel.
The chairman and members reached the fair venue with media representatives, the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police of Nagar Kurnool. They examined the spot where the clash occurred. They then began an on-site inquiry into the Mallanna Jatara assault.
Assistant Endowments Commissioner Madan told the Commission that local organisers printed tickets on their own. He said they collected money from devotees. Information indicated that a dispute erupted between the victims and organisers over the entry fee. The argument then escalated into the Mallanna Jatara assault.
Lapses flagged during Mallanna Jatara assault inspection
Officials estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 people attended the fair. However, the Commission identified serious lapses in arrangements. It held the district administration, the police department and the Endowments department responsible for poor oversight during the Mallanna Jatara assault.
Records showed that authorities registered the temple with the Endowments department in 2018 under file number B/1179/2018. Despite the registration, Endowments officials showed limited interest in organising the fair. Resistance from locally dominant groups restricted their role, according to information shared with the panel.
After the incident surfaced, the District Collector and Superintendent of Police briefed the Commission on the steps they took. The members later visited the infant’s grave. They placed floral tributes and observed a two-minute silence.
The Commission then met the victims to gather details about the background to the Mallanna Jatara assault. It later held a meeting with the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police to discuss the issue.