Agents and depositors of the Vijayawada-based Agri Gold Projects Limited on Monday demanded that the government constitute a high-level committee, including two IAS rank officers, marketing officials from the company and others, to identify the assets of the company, take them over and auction the same to ensure return of their money.
Several agents and depositors, who arrived from different parts of the State and neighbouring Telangana, Odisa and Karnataka, assembled at PWD Grounds here and took out a rally to Sub-Collector’s office. Holding placards and raising slogans, they demanded that stern action be taken against the company.
They also submitted a memorandum to Krishna Collector Babu A., requesting him to constitute a special committee to identify company assets.
“It is the question of five lakh agents and 40 lakh depositors. The government must come to our rescue. It is not just A.P., several agents and depositors from other States are also victims of this fraud,” said S.V.P.Anjaneyulu, an agent from Ongole.
He claimed that around 100 agents from Odisha and several others from Karnataka participated in the demonstration at Sub-Collector’s office. He also said a similar agitation would be organised next month in which nearly 5,000 agents from Karnataka would take part, adding that it would be followed by more protests in the coming days.
Mild tension prevailed at the IGMC stadium, when police tried to prevent the agents and depositors from heading towards the Agri Gold office in the Revenue Colony. Heated arguments were exchanged between the protestors and the police. A few of them were taken into custody.
In the past, agents and depositors had staged protests in front of the company offices for the delay in payments. They had urged the government to take necessary steps to ensure return of their money. CPM city secretary Ch. Babu Rao and others also addressed the gathering at the Sub Collector’s office.