Telangana BJP delegation detained en route to Jurala Project
Hyderabad, Sept 22 (TNT): Police on Tuesday detained Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao and other party leaders at Jadcherla while they were proceeding to the Jurala Project to meet farmers and assess the water situation in the project command area.
Police stopped Rao’s convoy and took him into custody, leading to protests by BJP workers on the national highway. The workers raised slogans against the Congress government and objected to the police action.
The BJP delegation was scheduled to visit the Jurala Project to assess water levels and understand the problems faced by farmers in downstream areas, who have been demanding release of irrigation water to protect their standing crops.
Rao termed his detention undemocratic and alleged that the Congress government was using the police to prevent BJP leaders from meeting farmers and raising public issues.
He demanded his immediate release and said the government should address the farmers’ concerns instead of preventing the BJP delegation from visiting the affected areas.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Mahabubnagar MP D.K. Aruna condemned Rao’s detention and the reported house arrests of other BJP leaders.
Sanjay questioned the detention of BJP leaders who were seeking to meet farmers and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.
He also called for the release of irrigation water from the Jurala Project.
Aruna alleged that police had placed several BJP leaders under house arrest to prevent the party’s visit to the project.
Those detained or placed under house arrest included Gadwal District BJP president Ramanjaneyulu, BJP leader D.K. Snigdha Reddy, former municipal chairman Bandala Venkatramulu and Venkateshwar Reddy, she said.
Aruna demanded immediate release of irrigation water to the Jurala ayacut, alleging that crops in the command area were drying up due to inadequate water supply.
She said the BJP would continue to raise the issue on behalf of farmers and urged the government to address their concerns.
TNT TS
