BJP protest in support of farmers turns violent in Asifabad

Some policemen and many agitators were injured in the melee. Police vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting by the mobs.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The protest launched by BJP party in support of farmers who were tilling forest lands, turned violent when policemen tried to evacuate the agitators on the outskirts of Kondapalli village in Penchikalpet mandal and at Rebbena village in Bejjur mandal on Friday night. However, the situation was brought under control on Saturday as the police continued their vigil.

The BJP leaders staged a sit-in in support of farmers who were demanding a solution to the long-pending dispute between them and the forest department over cultivation of forest lands by some farmers of Kondapalli. The protestors clashed with the police as the latter tried to take into custody Sirpur (T) constituency BJP in-charge Dr P Harish Rao. Some policemen and many agitators were injured in the melee. Police vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting by the mobs.

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Sources said that policemen tried to arrest Harish Rao and his followers around 11 pm on Friday night which was resisted by his followers and arguments ensued between the police and the agitators. Soon, the verbal arguments turned into a physical clash. Two constables were injured and two police vehicles were damaged, forcing the police to run for their lives.

Additional Superintendent of Police YVS Sudheendra and BJP leader Konga Satyanarayana rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators. Sudheendra assured to take action against the policemen who were alleged to have assaulted women. He sought cooperation from the locals in resolving the issue in a peaceful manner.

Led by Harish Rao, scores of activists and members of BJP began a protest seeking justice to farmers who were growing various crops in the lands of the forest department, on the fringes of the village on Thursday. District Forest Officer Shantharam held consultations with the farmers on Friday, but in vain.

Speaking to mediapersons, YVS Sudheendra said that the situation was brought under control at the two villages. No fresh clashes reported in the two habitations, he added.

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