Farmers stage rasta-roko demanding water to crops in Nirmal

Around 300 farmers blocked the traffic demanding the government to provide water to their crops

Nirmal: Farmers from different villages demanded the government to take steps to ensure irrigation facilities to their crops cultivated under Sadarmat irrigation project in this ongoing Yasangi season. They staged a rasta-roko in Kaddampeddur mandal centre on Wednesday.

Around 300 farmers belonging to Lingapur, Mallannapet, Elagadapa, Dildarnagar, Masaipet, Nachanellapur, Pettarpu, Maddipadaga, Laxmisagar, Sarangapur and many other villages blocked the traffic demanding the government to provide water to their crops. They recalled that they raised crops by pledging gold after being assured by local public representatives and officials of ensuring the irrigation facility to their crops at a meeting held on January 2.

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The disgruntled farmers regretted that the officials now stopped the supply of water to their crops, which reached near harvesting stage. They said that they had no option but to die by suicide if the officials continue to neglect them. They announced that they would not quit the protest if the crops were not irrigated till May 10.

On receiving information about the protest, police rushed to the spot and tried to stop the agitation by assuring them of justice. However, the farmers wanted an assurance from Collector Abhilasha Abhinav and Tahsildar. The revenue officials including Tahsildar Prabhakar held consultations with the farmers and Irrigation officials, but in vain.

Meanwhile, Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju spoke to the farmers over the phone. He urged them to bring their challenges to his notice. He faulted them for blocking the traffic. The farmers alleged that Bojju was confined to Utnoor though he represents Khanapur Assembly segment. They went to block the traffic.

They withdrew their protest when the revenue officials promised to address their challenge at the earliest. Traffic on Nirmal-Jannaram route was blocked for around 3 hours, causing inconvenience to motorists and passengers of TGRTC buses, cars and auto-rickshaws.