Ryots stage protest at Bowenpally market yard

Bowenpally: Hundreds of farmers from Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Vikarabad districts staged protest on the premises of Bowenpally agriculture market committee building here on Wednesday.

As part of their protest, they raised slogans against agriculture officials, agents and hamalis. They said they had been facing difficulties due to commission agents and hamali workers at the market. Telangana Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy was holding a review meeting with agriculture and marketing officials on the same premises when the farmers staged the protest.

Speaking to media during the protest, farmers Govardhan Reddy, Mohan Reddy and others said that farmers are being harassed by commission agents and hamali workers at the market.

Hamali workers were refusing to handle bags that are above 50 kg, he said. Despite several representations to officials concerned and collector, the issue had not been addressed, so far, they lamented. Meanwhile, Govardhan Reddy tried to commit suicide by pouring petrol over his body, but was prevented by the fellow farmers.

He was shifted to the hospital, as he fell unconscious during his attempt. Police officials intervened and convinced farmers to withdraw their protest. Later, Minister Niranjan Reddy, agriculture secretary Parthasarathi and other officials spoke to farmers and assured them to address the issue. Begumpet ACP A Ram Reddy, police from Tirumalgherry, Bollaram and Alwal police station monitored the security arrangements.