Farmer accuses Congress leaders of harassing him in Dy.CM Bhatti’s constituency

A farmer from Nagulavancha in Khammam district accused Congress leaders of harassing and threatening him over a proposed road through his patta land. He alleged that the track could cause crop losses and appealed to authorities for protection and justice

Khammam: A farmer of Nagulavancha in Chintakani mandal in Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s constituency Madhira in Khammam accused Congress leaders of harassing him.

The farmer, Jonnalagadda Mallikarjun Rao, who owns agricultural land in the village, complained that Mathkepally Market Committee chairman Ambati Venkateswaralu and other Congress leaders were threatening to lay a road through his patta land to get access to their lands.

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Since olden days, there was only a narrow cart track running between the fields of Mallikarjun Rao and his neighbours. However, Venkateswarlu and others started to widen the path forcibly against the interests of the aggrieved farmer.

The farmer alleged that the Congress leaders subjected him to repeated harassment, saying that they were backed by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and that he could not stop them from laying the track.

He further said that the Congress leaders threatened to lodge complaints with the tahsildar, the police and have him thrown in jail. Distressed by the situation, Mallikarjuna Rao recorded a selfie video at his farm on Monday while holding a bottle of pesticide, saying that ending his life was the only recourse left for him.

As he fell ill due to exhaustion, his family members rushed him to a hospital and his condition was said to be stable. The farmer noted that the path in question was originally set aside by their ancestors to access their fields.

If the track was raised, the floodwaters would accumulate in his four acres of agricultural land, submerging crops and resulting in severe financial loss. Funds meant for road construction elsewhere were being diverted for the farm track, he said.

Mallikarjun Rao appealed to the authorities to resist pressure from the ruling party leaders and ensure justice for him.