In Tekulpalli forest area of Allapalli division of Bhadradri Kottagudem district, the cotton crop sown by farmer Oke Nageshwar Rao was destroyed by the forest department officials overnight. After this incident, the local peasant family pleaded for justice by falling into the feet of Pinapaka Congress MLA P. Venkateswaralu and shed tears, which shook everyone’s heart.
Farmers living in Raipadu village, Nageswara Rao, have been farming in Muralipadu Beat of Tekulpalli Mandal for the last 20 years. This year, he had grown cotton crop in one acre, but on Wednesday night, suddenly the forest department officials along with the employees completely destroyed the cotton crops on the lease ground.
Promise to provide permanent solution to farmer family
In the event of the crop being prepared, it was destroyed by the farmer family. Sitting on the road, the family who shed tears demanded to resolve this injustice immediately. As soon as the information of this incident was received, Pinapaka MLA P. Venkateswaralu immediately reached there during the visit to Allapalli. The members of the farmer family fell at the legs of the MLA and cried loudly, saying ‘Sir, Saheb’.
The MLA, who was emotional after seeing this scene, consoled him. He promised to raise the issue of crop destruction in front of the government, discuss in the assembly and provide a permanent solution to the farmer family. During this time, the farmer family protested in front of Raita Vedika by placing the remains of the crop on the road. After the MLA’s assurance, the family got some relief.
Demand for action from farmers’ government
This incident has questioned the actions of the officials of the forest department. Despite farming on lease land on behalf of farmers, disputes related to agriculture in forest areas are coming to the fore and again. Local people say that such incidents are making the livelihood of farmers more difficult. They are demanding that the government take quick action in this matter and farmers should get justice.
Pinapaka MLA P. Venkateswaralu is representing the Pinapaka constituency reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) by winning the Congress party in the 2023 Telangana assembly elections. This incident further exposes their farmer welfare efforts.
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