Farmers climbed an overhead water tank at Sundaragiri village in Chigurumamidi mandal on Monday, demanding the cancellation of the L-21 minor canal under the Gouravelli project. Carrying pesticide bottles, they threatened to end their lives if the proposed canal was not scrapped.
According to villagers, the L-21 minor canal would pass through the agricultural lands of 31 farmers whose lands had already been surveyed for the D-4 and R-20 canals under the same project.
The farmers, who had cooperated with officials over the two earlier canals, opposed the L-21 canal, stating that it would require them to surrender a substantial extent of their agricultural land. They said their grievances had not received a response despite being brought to the notice of officials.
The protesters refused to withdraw their agitation until they received an assurance from the authorities. On learning about the protest, Tahsildar Kodam Kanakaiah, Sub-Inspector B. Jagadeeshwar, sarpanch Janga Shirisha and others rushed to the spot. They assured the farmers that their concerns would be brought to the notice of higher officials and that arrangements would be made for the 31 farmers to meet the District Collector. Convinced by the assurance that their grievances would be discussed with senior officials, the farmers called off their protest.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
