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`Famine raid' by DWCRA women

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD JUNE 27. In a daring act, DWCRA group women belonging to naxalite-affected Potharam village in Machareddy mandal today allegedly raided a house where Food-for-Work rice was stocked and took away 125 quintals and distributed it among villagers.

The incident has sent shock waves in police circles as this is the first incident where women have taken the bold decision to indulge in a famine raid.

It began last night when members of 11 DWCRA groups held a meeting and discussed the issue of scheduled shifting of rice stocks to some other village. As per the plan, DWCRA members marched to the house of a villager, Yellaiah, where the FFW rice was stored.

The 100-member strong group went inside the house and asked villagers to bring out the rice stocks. The raid began at 9 a.m. and continued till this evening. It was only in the evening that word spread about the famine raid.

The women distributed one bag of rice to each family. By evening all the rice stocks were distributed among the villagers. The DWCRA members justified the famine raid stating that the villagers were starving due to severe drought. They contended that they had not other go but to take away the rice stocks. The women denied the involvement or backing of the banned People's War.

The Kamareddy DSP, J. Parimala Hana Nutan, speaking to The Hindu late in the night confirmed the incident. She said it was not yet clear as to whether the PW had instigated the women to indulge in famine raid. She said police parties could not be sent to the affected village because of security problem. However, some village elders were contacted and directed to look into the issue. The DSP said she awaited a report from the local MRO. When asked whether any cases would be filed against the women, the DSP said only after the report is received further action could be initiated.

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