AgriGold victims begin Deeksha

Vijayawada: AgriGold customers and agents began 30-hour Dharmagraha Deeksha at the Dharna Chowk here on Thursday demanding that the state government speed up the prosecution of AgriGold case and take necessary steps for refund of deposits to 32 lakh customers. 

The customers and agents under the auspices of AgriGold Customers and Agents Welfare Association began struggle two years ago and have been staging protests in different parts of the state to mount pressure on the government to hasten the auction of properties of the defaulted company. 

Before the start of 30-hour dharna in the morning, police foiled the rally by the association from Tummalapalli Kalakshetram to Dharna Chowk by erecting barricades and arresting nearly 50 agents and customers who were marching to Dharna Chowk. 

State president of the association Muppalla Nageswara Rao and leaders E V Naidu, Darsi Naga Venkata Satyanarayana, P Kasivisweswara Rao,  B  Chandra Sekhar and others were arrested and taken to I town, Bhavanipurm and Thotlavallur police stations. They were released from the stations in the evening.

Addressing the victims of mega scam at the Dharna Chowk, the association general secretary V Tirupati Rao alleged the government has no intention of resolving  the case and find a solution to the problem of 32 lakh customers.

He said the customers have lost Rs 6,400 crore due to the scam but the state government was least bothered about the problems of the victims. He said more than 180 victims had either committed suicide or died due to the impact of the scam.

He regretted the process of auctioning the properties is also getting delayed duo various reasons.Tirupati Rao warned the state government would pay a heavy price if it failed to resolve the problems of the customers.

Association honorary president Muppalla Nageswara Rao strongly condemned the arrest of association leaders who were marching to Dharna Chowk. He said the police don’t raise objection when ruling party conduct Nava Nirmana Deekha at Benz Circle on the national highway but raising objections to the rally of AgriGold victims.

He demanded that the government speed up the process for auction of properties and repayment of deposits to the customers. He said four years have passed since the scam broke out but there is no hope of recovery of deposits. The association leaders and members continued the protest till Friday.

CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna denounced the arrest of AgriGold Customers and Agents Association leaders in Vijayawada. He said the state government had utterly failed to resolve the problem and find ways to provide succour 32 lakh customers. He demanded that the government should desist from arresting the victims of the scam.