New Delhi, June 5: Women farmers and agricultural labourers from Mamillapalli village in Ponnur Mandal, Guntur district, demanded strict action against police officials accused of assaulting and humiliating them during protests seeking remunerative prices for their maize crop. Along with YSRCP Araku MP Tanuja Rani and Ponnur YSRCP In-charge Ambati Murali Krishna, the women addressed the media in New Delhi after submitting complaints to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and National Commission for Women (NCW).
The delegation stated that farmers in Andhra Pradesh are not only being denied fair prices for their produce but are also facing harassment for demanding the Minimum Support Price announced by the Centre. They alleged that women farmers protesting peacefully for a fair maize price were subjected to police excesses, dragged with ropes tied around their necks, manhandled, and later booked under serious criminal provisions, including SC/ST Atrocities and attempt-to-murder cases. Complaints, along with video evidence of the incidents, were submitted before the national commissions seeking action against the police personnel involved and withdrawal of the cases registered against the affected women farmers and labourers.
Speaking to the media, Ambati Murali Krishna said the fact that farmers had to travel to New Delhi to seek justice reflected the grave situation in Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that farmers demanding the Centre’s MSP of Rs. 2,400 per quintal for maize were being forced to sell their produce at around Rs. 1,650 and that those who resisted were subjected to intimidation and police action. He demanded action against the police officials named in the complaints and questioned the registration of atrocity cases against farmers and attempt-to-murder cases against SC agricultural labourers who stood in solidarity with them.
MP Tanuja Rani condemned the treatment meted out to the women and asked why women protesting peacefully for their rights were handled in such a manner. She said the visuals of women being dragged during the protest were disturbing and called upon Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha to respond. She asserted that women from Dalit and Kapu communities were forced to approach national institutions because they had lost faith in receiving justice within the state.
Mamillapalli farmer Savitri stated that farmers had stored their maize in a local warehouse after refusing to sell at distress prices and alleged that the warehouse was damaged and sealed despite repeated explanations that it belonged to farmers. She said women were dragged, assaulted, and booked under atrocity cases for demanding fair prices for their crop.
Agricultural labour leader Mamatha said the village had been living under fear for nearly a month due to continuous police action. She alleged that SC women labourers who supported the farmers were booked under attempt-to-murder charges and subjected to harassment. She questioned whether demanding MSP for their produce had become a crime and called for immediate withdrawal of all cases and protection for the affected families.
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