Urea shortage sparks protests, chaos in Warangal, Kothagudem

Protests erupted across Warangal, Kothagudem and nearby districts as farmers faced acute urea shortage. A woman farmer fractured her leg during chaos over token distribution in Mahabubabad. Angry farmers staged rasta-rokos, blocked highways and demanded immediate government intervention

Kothagudem/Warangal: Waiting in long queues for urea has turned costly for farmers, with a woman farmer suffering a leg fracture amid chaos over token distribution, while rasta-rokos were staged at several places in erstwhile Warangal and Kothagudem districts.

A large number of farmers gathered at Kesamudram Rythu Vedika in Mahabubabad on Sunday night after officials announced that urea tokens would be distributed on Monday. Despite heavy rain, they waited until morning.

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When Agriculture Officer Venkanna began distributing tokens, chaos broke out as farmers pulled down barricades and jostled for them. In the melee, Anitha, a farmer from Beruwada in Kesamudram mandal, fractured her leg and was rushed to hospital.

Though officials had announced that 1,000 tokens would be issued, only 460 were given. Angered farmers staged a rasta-roko on the Kesamudram-Thorrur main road, shouting slogans against the Congress government.

Similarly, farmers blocked the Khammam-Warangal National Highway 563 at Maripeda mandal headquarters, leading to a traffic jam for over an hour. Farmers said they had been visiting PACS for 15 days without success. Local AO Veera Singh and SI B Sathish pacified the protesters and cleared the traffic.

In Wardhannapet of Warangal district, police arrested farmers who staged a protest at Ambedkar Centre demanding urea. Tension prevailed for some time. Farmers also staged protests in Narsampet town.

At Regonda in Bhupalpally district, chaos erupted when a truck carrying urea arrived at the PACS warehouse. Farmers jostled to secure supplies, forcing officials to intervene. Only one bag was distributed per farmer, leaving many disappointed and demanding enhanced supply.

In Kothagudem, farmers waiting at Laxmidevipally market yard had to return empty-handed as the promised urea lorry failed to arrive. They said they had been waiting since Thursday after being assured of supply on Monday. A similar protest broke out in Tekulapally.