BRS demands withdrawal of cases against 14 farmers, apology from govt

The BRS has demanded that the Congress government withdraw cases registered against 14 farmers for allegedly releasing water into the Jurala Left Canal without authorisation and issue an unconditional apology to the farming community.

Wanaparthy: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has demanded that the Congress government withdraw cases registered against 14 farmers at Amarchinta police station and tender an unconditional apology to the farming community.

On September 19, a group of farmers released water into the Jurala Left Canal without authorisation to protect their standing crops. Following a complaint by irrigation officials, Amarchinta police registered cases against 14 farmers.

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Condemning the government’s action, the BRS extended its support to the farmers. Former Ministers V Srinivas Goud, C Laxma Reddy and S Niranjan Reddy, along with other senior leaders, met the farmers at Atmakur on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Srinivas Goud demanded the immediate withdrawal of the cases and called on the government to apologise to the farming community.

He urged the farmers not to lose heart and assured them that the BRS would stand by them.

Goud said farmers were facing several problems this season and described the registration of cases against them as unjustified when, he alleged, the government had failed to ensure adequate irrigation water.

“Did the farmers cause any damage to public property? Why were non-bailable cases registered against them? The BRS will not remain silent when farmers are subjected to such action,” Goud asserted.

The former Minister also questioned whether the State had experienced similar power supply problems during the BRS government’s tenure. He charged that power disruptions had increased after the Congress government came to power, causing distress among farmers.

C Laxma Reddy and Niranjan Reddy criticised the Congress government for invoking the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act against the farmers, describing the move as an act of repression.

They said farmers had offered suggestions and held discussions with officials on measures to secure irrigation water. However, they alleged that the government had failed to respond to their concerns, prompting the farmers to protest. The former Ministers also accused the government of harassing farmers instead of acknowledging their difficulties and providing relief.