Farmers block roads over urea crisis in Warangal and Khammam

Farmers’ protests over urea shortage intensified in Warangal and Khammam districts on Tuesday. Demonstrations included rasta roko, Vanta Vaarpu and long queues at PACS centres. Tension prevailed as farmers accused the Congress government of failing to address the fertiliser crisis

Warangal/Khammam: Farmers’ protests against urea shortage intensified across erstwhile Warangal district on Tuesday.

In Warangal, farmers staged a rasta roko on NH-365 at Budharaopet village in Khanapuram mandal, bringing traffic to a standstill. They complained that despite transplanting paddy days ago, they were unable to apply urea, which would affect yields.

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Farmers vowed not to withdraw until supplies were ensured and staged Vanta Vaarpu protests, shouting slogans like “Ganpati Bappa Moriya, Kavalayya urea” and raising slogans against the Chief Minister. Police tried to persuade them to clear the road.

Thousands queued up at Rayaparthy and Kalleda PACS centres since early morning. Tension prevailed as farmers jostled for tokens. In Jangaon’s Jafargarh mandal, a farmer, Rangamma, fainted after waiting in queue since 6 am. Farmers accused the Congress government of ignoring their plight and failing to resolve the crisis.

In Khammam, large crowds gathered at the Enkoor PACS warehouse after news of a urea truck arrival. Officials had to seek police assistance for distribution. In Yellandu mandal, farmers even marked their places by leaving footwear in queues at Nizampet.