Jurala farmers protest for irrigation water as police stop BRS leaders

Farmers and BRS leaders were stopped by police while attempting to reach the Jurala Project to protest over irrigation water. Several BRS leaders were detained or placed under house arrest as tension escalated in the project area

Jogulamba Gadwal: Tension prevailing at the Jurala Project for the last three days escalated on Monday as police stopped farmers and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders from reaching the project to stage a protest demanding irrigation water. Heated arguments and scuffles broke out between the police and farmers.

For the last few days, farmers have been demanding that irrigation officials release water from the Jurala Project to save their crops, but officials did not heed their demand. On Saturday evening, farmers opened the head regulator and released water into the Left Canal. Irrigation officials, however, reached the project soon after and stopped the release.

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The BRS extended support to the farmers on Monday and demanded that the Congress government release water and protect their interests. BRS leaders, along with the farmers, planned to stage a protest at the project. However, police intercepted them at Nandimalla in Amarchinta. Heated arguments and scuffles broke out between the police and farmers.

Former Makthal MLA Chittem Rammohan Reddy expressed concern over farmers struggling to save crops cultivated under the project ayacut. He said farmers had invested heavily in cultivation and alleged that the Congress government was not releasing water at a crucial stage. He appealed to irrigation officials to release water at least once every three days so that farmers could save their standing crops and avoid losses.

While he was speaking to the media, police took him into custody and attempted to shift him from the area. However, farmers and BRS workers stopped the police vehicle. Objecting to the police action, farmers raised slogans against the government. As police continued to prevent them from reaching the project, tension prevailed in the area.

Images and videos of a farmer being held by the collar and dragged by police were circulated on social media. Pressing their demand for water, farmers entered the parallel canals and continued their protest.

Preventive arrests of former ministers

As BRS leaders from the erstwhile Palamuru region attempted to reach the Jurala Project and extend solidarity to the farmers, police intercepted them at several locations. Former ministers Singireddy Niranjan Reddy and C Laxma Reddy, former MLA A Venkateshwar Reddy and other senior BRS leaders were placed under house arrest.

Police also detained BRS leaders from Wanaparthy, Atmakur, Amarchinta and Narva mandals at various locations.

The Jurala Project was completely cordoned off and a heavy police force was deployed at the dam.

Meanwhile, in Gadwal, farmers’ unions backed by an all-party coalition called for a siege of the Collectorate, demanding the release of irrigation water.