Adilabad tense as police, BRS activists clash during protest at MP’s house over cotton row

A protest led by former minister Jogu Ramanna outside Adilabad MP G Nagesh’s residence turned tense as BRS activists clashed with police over the Cotton Corporation of India’s procurement restrictions. The agitation highlighted farmers’ distress over moisture norms and import duty cuts.

Adilabad: Tension prevailed for a while when police and BRS activists jostled one another during a protest staged by the party in front of Adilabad MP G Nagesh’s house opposing the restrictions imposed by the Cotton Corporation of India on cotton procurement on Wednesday.

A large number of activists, led by former minister Jogu Ramanna, reached the MP’s residence and staged a sit-in. Police rushed to the spot upon receiving information and attempted to remove the protesters, who resisted, leading to heated arguments.

The two sides jostled, creating tense moments. Ramanna and other leaders were arrested. Ramanna alleged that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) was doing injustice to farmers by imposing restrictions on cotton procurement. He demanded that the cap of 7 quintals per acre should be lifted.

The former minister also urged the CCI to purchase cotton without prescribing conditions on moisture content. He criticised the union government for cutting import duty on cotton, which he said was harming domestic farmers, and asserted that the BRS would continue its agitation until farmers’ issues are resolved.

Meanwhile, cotton growers continued to struggle dry moist produce in market yards across the district. They were forced to spread cotton in the open as officials of the CCI and Marketing departments refused to accept stocks citing excessive moisture. Farmers urged the CCI to permit sale of cotton with more than 12 percent moisture, stating that recent unseasonal rains had left the crop wet.