Farmer’s chilli crop set ablaze: AIKMS seeks swift justice

Yemmiganur – Andhra Pradesh: In a shocking incident in Errakota village, Yemmiganur mandal, unknown assailants set fire to three acres of dried chilli crop belonging to farmer Chakali Srinivas Rao, reducing it to ashes. According to the All India Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (AIKMS) District General Secretary M Satyanna, the crop had yielded four quintals per acre during its first harvest.

The arson reportedly occurred late Monday night, near a fenced area opposite St. John’s Engineering College, where Srinivas had been guarding the crop until 9:30 PM. Upon hearing of the fire, the farmer rushed to the spot, only to find his hard-earned produce destroyed.

Demands for arrest and compensation

During a dharna organized by AIKMS in front of the Tahsildar’s office on Wednesday, Satyanna demanded immediate action against the perpetrators. He urged the government to arrest those responsible for the arson, and to provide compensation of Rs 2 lakh per acre to the farmer to alleviate his financial losses. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Tahsildar.

Srinivas had cultivated the crop on loan and is now facing severe distress due to the incident, Satyanna noted.

Community leaders join protest

The protest was attended by several leaders from the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), including Balaraju, Babu, Suresh, Yellappa, Pedda Reddy, Narasimha Reddy, Raju, Thayanna, and Narasimhulu.

They expressed solidarity with Srinivas and emphasized the need for stringent action to prevent such incidents in the future, calling for accountability from local authorities.

The protesters appealed to the government to promptly investigate the incident, ensure justice for the farmer, and take steps to safeguard agricultural livelihoods in the region.