30 arrested as farmers clash with cops

Eluru: At least 30 farmers and workers were arrested when the Jail Bharo agitation took a violent turn here on Thursday. 

Leaders and activists of AP Rytu Sangham, AP Kowlu Rytu Sangham and Centre of Indian Trade Unions organised a huge rally here with a slogan ‘Quit Modi’. 

The agitators wanted rise in support price for farm produce, implementation of Swaminathan recommendations, waiver of farm loans and fulfillment of promises made by the ruling parties at the time of elections.

The rally started at Jute mill centre and passed through fire station centre and reached Collectorate. The police arranged barbed wire barricades to prevent agitators from approaching Collectorate. 

When the agitators entered into argument with the police and marched towards gate of the Collectorate, some agitators sustained bleeding injuries. The police used force to disperse the agitators. 

Some of the agitators suffered cuts on legs and hands. The protesters raised slogans against  state and Central governments terming their  policies as anti-farmer and anti-worker.

The police arrested some agitators and rushed to Three-Town police station. Later, they were released as the agitators stormed the police station in support of the arrested.

The CITU state general secretary Gaffoor alleged that the Modi government was kneeling before the corporate forces. 

The farming community in the state was neck-deep in crisis and need help to survive, he added.

Rytu Sangham leader Srinivas, CITU district leaders DNVD Prasad, B Somaiah and other leaders also spoke.