The Hindu : Police firing on violent mob of ryots: 2 hurt

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 26, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Police firing on violent mob of ryots: 2 hurt

By W. Chandrakanth

CHEVELLA (Ranga Reddy district) JUNE 25. The police opened fire to quell an irate mob of farmers here on Wednesday in which two persons sustained bullet injuries and were removed to hospital. Some policemen were also injured in the violence that occurred in two spells in the town.

Trouble began during the subsidised seed distribution by the Agriculture Department.

The police used force to bring order when restive farmers, fearing shortage of seeds, surged towards the lone counter operated by the Ranga Reddy District Cooperative Marketing Society (DCMS).

A youth received head injuries in the process, but rumour gained currency that he died due to `police excesses.' The charged-up crowd manhandled a constable, triggering lathicharge and retaliatory stoning by the crowd near the police station.

Scared traders downed shutters while people resorted to `rasta roko' till evening despite prohibitory orders in force.

It seemed to end on a positive note, although for now, after prolonged discussions involving police officials led by the DIG, C.R.Naidu, the Joint Collector, Ravi Chandra, the Deputy Speaker, Harishwar Reddy, Congress MLA, Sabitha Indra Reddy, the TRS leader, K.Rathnam, and the CPI (M) leader, Srinivasulu Naidu, following which the police agreed not to press any charges against the farmers.

This brought the agitated Congress, TRS and CPI (M) leaders back to the police station protesting against the "provocation by the police led by the SP himself.''

Ms. Sabitha Indra Reddy demanded an explanation from the SP who led the lathicharge personally.

All parties condemned the incident, demanded compensation to the injured farmers and suspension of the SI responsible for the incidents.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, ordered a magisterial enquiry into the circumstances that led to the firing. He also directed the officials to make arrangements for proper distribution of seeds.

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