The YSR Congress Party demanded an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into the suspicious death of a farmer at Puttakota village on February 18 when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu took part in a slew of programmes.
A fact-finding committee of senior leaders led by Polit Bureau member and leader of the Opposition in the Council Ummareddy Venkateswarlu visited the village and condemned the incident.
Mr. Venkateswarlu told the media that the party would stand by the family. He handed over a cheque for ₹4 lakh from the party. Narasaraopet Lok Sabha segment in-charge Lavu Krishnadevarayulu gave ₹5 lakh. Chilakaluripet constituency in-charge Vidadala Rajani had already given ₹1 lakh.
“This is a cold-blooded murder by the police who mercilessly beat up an innocent farmer for just raising concerns over destruction of his field. Instead of condemning the incident, the CM has chosen to show it as a suicide. Our party will fight it out,” said Mr. Venkateswarlu
Earlier, the committee consisting of K. Parthasarathy, M. Venkata Ramana Rao and Lavu Krishnadevarayulu visited the house and interacted with the son of the farmer, Veeranjaneyulu.
Son’s version
“My father had no financial difficulties and he has taken 14 acres on lease in which he has been cultivating banana, papaya and flower plants. He called me at about 9-30 am and said he was being beaten by the police,” said Mr. Veeranjaneyulu.
As a tense situation prevailed after the police stopped vehicles of the leaders at the checkpost placed at the entrance of the village, the leaders walked all the way to the village.
Minister for Civil Supplies Prathipati Pulla Rao hit back at the YSRCP leaders saying the death had nothing to do with the CM’s visit.
“I will resign from the Cabinet and retire from public life if it is proved that the farmer’s land had been used as helipad. Will Jagan Mohan Reddy do the same?” he asked.
He said the farm land which belonged to the farmer was far away from the main road and was used as a command and control centre by the police.
Moreover, the police tried to save the man by shifting him in a vehicle to the nearest hospital in Phirangipuram.
