Notwithstanding the stringent restrictions imposed by the Chittoor police to prevent any untoward incidents during the visit of YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Bangarupalyem market yard in Chittoor district, the party cadre break all the rules and barged into the venue.
Though the police announced that only 30 people would be allowed near helipad to receive Jagan and only 500 people into the market yard where he is supposed to interact with the distressed mango farmers, the YSRCP leaders and cadre turned up in huge numbers, besides mobilising thousands of people.
They not only stormed the helipad, but also rushed into the market yard in thousands even before Jagan arrived there. The police had a tough time in controlling the crowds.
Yet, the YSRCP said the police imposed unreasonable restrictions on farmers and party leaders trying to reach the venue.
The police in multiple mandals around Bangarupalem stopped vehicles, conducted inspections, and even recorded videos of farmers attempting to attend the interaction.
Several farmers and YSRCP leaders, including former MLA Venkate Goud, were reportedly detained or stopped from proceeding.
He termed the police actions as undemocratic and politically motivated, stating that such suppression of farmers was deeply condemnable.
The entire Bangarupalem Market Yard area was said to be under police control, with movement of people heavily restricted. Vehicles heading towards the market were stopped at the outskirts, and police were seen questioning and video recording farmers before deciding whether to allow them in.
As Jagan was coming from the helipad to the market yard, he came to know about the police lathicharge on some party workers. He tried to step out of his convoy to meet an injured party worker.
“He wished to personally meet and console a worker who was reportedly injured during the clash. However, the district SP intervened and prevented YS Jagan from stepping out of the convoy,” the party said.
Despite Jagan’s insistence, the SP did not allow him to meet the injured worker. He was eventually made to re-enter the convoy and continue his route.
