Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003
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Andhra Pradesh
By Our Staff Reporter
Tension prevailed for over eight hours while the police remanded mute spectators to prevent recurrence of Chevella incident. Following the assurance from a seeds dealer, Anil, proprietor of Shabari Seeds and Pesticides, hundreds of farmers made a beeline to the scores of shops on the road demanding money. They came with the packets of seeds to return them to the dealers. However, several shop owners did not open shops while many others vacated the shops the previous night following news reports on spurious seeds. The farmers squatted in front of the shops since 9.30 a.m. even as scores of policemen kept a vigil to avoid any untoward incident. Having lost patience, the farmers broke open shutters of about 20 shops. They brought out furniture and set on fire while others made away with packets of seeds and whatever came to hand. The district Collector, N. Shiva Shanker, and the Superintendent of Police, Nalin Prabhat, accompanied by officials reached the spot and tried to pacify the mob, but in vain. The SP requested the farmers to assemble at the old grain market behind the Warangal railway station, but farmers did not relent. After hours of persuasion, about 500 farmers went along with him. The SP promised them that they would catch hold of the dealers and return their money with in 10 days. However, the farmers insisted on immediate payment. After failing to convince the emotional farmers, the Collector and SP left the spot seeking at least four days' time to meet their demand. Meanwhile, hundreds of farmers again reached the station road and went on stoning the shops. They broke open several shops while policemen tried their best to restrain them. After a mob set the furniture on fire, the police were forced to use mild lathicharge to disperse the crowds. Around 5 p.m. the police divided themselves into three groups and moved away from the market on either side taking groups of farmers. A group of policemen kept vigil on the shops. One of the two farmers, Erra Venkanna, who suffered injuries in the lathicharge, was taken to MGM hospital for treatment by the police. The farmers demanded an apology from the police for using force. The Additional SP, T. Venkat Rao, and the DSP, B. Sumathi, apoligised to the farmers in a bid to calm them down. Earlier, the police tried to arrest Anil, proprietor of Shabari Seeds and Pesticides, but the farmers did not allow the vehicle to move. They raised slogans against the police and accused them of trying to protect the cheat. The mob tried to attack Anil, but the police prevented the irate mob.
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