Telangana: Podu farmers clash with forest officials in Khammam

Clashes broke out between farmers and forest officials in Yellannanagar, Konijarla mandal, over podu lands. Farmers accused officials of uprooting cotton crops, while the forest department claimed encroachment. Both sides filed complaints with Konijarla police as tensions escalated

Khammam: Clashes took place between farmers and forest department officials over podu lands at Yellannanagar village of Konijarla mandal in the district on Saturday.

Farmers got into an argument with forest officials, alleging that they had uprooted cotton plants they had planted. Forest department officials said that the podu farmers crossed the forest boundaries trying to create additional podu land.

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The farmers maintained that they were cultivating the crop in the lands for which they were given RoFR pattas. Farmers and forest officials lodged complaints to Konijarla police against each other.