The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Farmers storm mandal office, beat officials

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Farmers storm mandal office, beat officials

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JUNE 9. Irate farmers stormed the Mandal Parishad Development Officer's office at Galiveedu on Wednesday and beat up the Mandal Parishad Development Officer, Prathap, and the Mandal Agricultural Officer, Venkatasubbaiah, alleging that the quantity of groundnut seeds being supplied was inadequate.

Farmers gathered in large number at the MPDO office earlier to take coupons from the agricultural officials.They were angry only 13,003 quintals of seeds were received for the mandal. They picked up a row with the officials concerned stating that the quantity allotted to the mandal would lead to a shortfall.

Alleging that lesser quantity of seeds was allotted due to the negligence of the officials, a large number of farmers barged into the MPDO office. Later, the farmers staged a `rasta roko' at Galiveedu. The officials then locked up the office and left, but tension prevailed in Galiveedu.

Enraged farmers of Ramapuram mandal showered abuses and manhandled the Mandal Agricultural Officer, Ganganna, in the presence of the police, alleging that distribution of tokens to farmers requiring groundnut seeds was tardy. Farmers from 13 villages gathered at the Ramapuram MPDO office, leading to a scramble for tokens to procure the seeds.

As the agricultural official and staff faced difficulties in writing the coupons, they shifted the venue to the Ramapuram police station, but the situation was no different. The farmers manhandled Mr. Ganganna when he issued coupons for about 200 bags. The agricultural officer stopped the coupon issue, lodged a complaint with the Ramapuram police and informed the district authorities on the assault.

Meanwhile, farmers hurled stones at the Lakkireddipalle Mandal Agricultural Office and tried to damage furniture in the office alleging supply of inadequate quantities of groundnut seeds. As the turnout of farmers was more than expected, the officials suspended issue of coupons. The Mandal Agricultural Officer, Subba Rao, apprised the Collector on the situation and locked up the office. Urging farmers not to agitate for seeds, he assured them of seed distribution in the panchayats concerned through village secretaries. Farmers also staged protest in Rayachoti over the issue of coupons for groundnut seeds.

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Andhra Pradesh