Hyderabad: Police reportedly registered non-bailable cases against farmers cultivating crops under the left canal of the Jurala project in Wanaparthy district. The cases followed a protest over the release of irrigation water.
According to the information provided, the government had declined to release irrigation water to the farmers last month. As a result, farmers faced the threat of their crops drying up.
Against this backdrop, the farmers held a protest at the project on September 19. They demanded that officials release water immediately to protect their crops.
The farmers also pressed officials to respond to their demand. However, they reportedly received no response from the authorities.
Later that evening, the farmers raised the gates of the Jurala project’s left canal and released water themselves. The action followed their demand for immediate irrigation support.
Jurala project farmers face cases after water release
Following the incident, the irrigation department’s deputy executive engineer reportedly lodged a complaint with Amarachintha police. Police subsequently registered cases against some farmers and certain leaders, according to the information provided.
The police reportedly kept the case details confidential and did not disclose them to the media. The exact number of farmers and leaders named in the cases was not provided.
Meanwhile, police were reportedly preparing to arrest some of those named in the cases. They were also said to be preparing to produce them before a court for remand.
The Jurala project farmers had earlier sought water release after authorities declined to provide irrigation water. Their September 19 protest focused on protecting standing crops from drying up.
The reported cases followed the farmers’ decision to open the left canal gates and release water after their demands received no response from officials.