Hyderabad: Tension prevailed in Nagarkurnool on Saturday as farmers took to the streets demanding immediate urea supply, after days of delay and insufficient token distribution. Nearly 100 farmers, including women, blocked a major road near the PACS centre, refusing to disperse until they received urea.
The protest erupted after only 20 tokens were issued at the local PACS despite long queues. Farmers, some of whom had been waiting for two days, said authorities kept delaying distribution without explanation. “We’re skipping meals, standing in line for hours, and still returning home empty-handed,” said one protestor.
Nagarkurnool urea shortage triggers highway blockade
Frustrated farmers raised slogans, demanding that the local MLA visit the spot. They accused officials of favouritism in distribution and claimed that some bags were being sold illegally for ₹300.
Though officials claimed there was enough urea stock, farmers said they were not distributing it equitably. Many alleged that only select beneficiaries were receiving tokens while others repeatedly went home without fertilizer.
The protest caused a half-hour traffic jam near the bus stand and Housing Board area. Police arrived to pacify the crowd, but farmers confronted Circle Inspector Ashok Reddy, questioning the administration’s inaction.
Police intervene as farmers demand accountability
Farmers refused to leave until CI Ashok Reddy and agricultural officials promised corrective action. Following heated discussions, the CI assured them that steps would be taken to ensure fair distribution. Only after this assurance did the farmers call off the protest.
Locals said multiple farmers had fallen ill due to long hours in the sun, but the administration failed to respond to their suffering. The incident adds to growing unrest across Telangana over fertilizer shortages during the critical cropping period.