Farmers fall at officials’ feet for urea in Telangana; videos spark outrage

Farmers in Mahabubabad and Warangal were seen pleading at officials’ and police officers’ feet for urea amid severe shortages during the Kharif season. Viral videos of the incidents sparked outrage, as State and Central governments continued blaming each other

Mahabubabad: In a stark reflection of the crisis facing farmers in Telangana, two farmers — including a woman — were seen falling at the feet of officials and police personnel, pleading for a bag of urea during the ongoing Kharif season.

In Thorrur, farmers had queued outside the PACS office from as early as 4 a.m. to secure urea. Tensions flared when only one bag was allotted per farmer with up to two acres of land due to severe shortages. One farmer broke down and fell at the feet of an official, begging for more supply. Many farmers recalled that under the previous BRS regime, urea was available without such hardship, but under the current Congress government, they were being subjected to humiliation.

In a separate incident at Mangalavaripet PACS in Budharaopet of Khanapuram mandal, Warangal district, a woman farmer collapsed at the feet of a policeman during a road protest, pleading for help in securing urea. She said farmers had been waiting in queues since morning but were denied sufficient supply.

At Narsimhulapet mandal headquarters in Mahabubabad, police reportedly used force against farmers waiting for hours in queues, triggering outrage over administrative apathy.

Videos of desperate farmers bowing before officials and police have gone viral on social media, sparking criticism of government machinery for failing to ensure adequate supply. Meanwhile, the State and Central governments continue to trade blame over the shortage, leaving farmers to struggle at distribution centres.