Jagan demands AP govt buy mango crop at Rs 12 per kg; excess crowd at rally leads to lathicharge

He criticised the government’s inefficiency and condemned police restrictions on farmers.

‘76,000 farmers cultivated mangoes in 2.20 lakh acres’

Addressing the media at Bangarupalem Market Yard on Wednesday, Jagan said over 76,000 farmers cultivated mango in 2.20 lakh acres, yielding 6.45 lakh tonnes this season. However, they are forced to sell at throwaway prices due to the government’s failure to procure their produce in time.

He recalled that during the YSRCP tenure, mango farmers received Rs 29 per kg, with RBKs actively monitoring the crop. “In just one year, prices have dipped drastically under the coalition government,” he said.

Delay in procurement hit farmers

“Normally, procurement starts in early May. The delay this time has led to piling up of stocks and a drastic price fall, exposing Chandrababu Naidu’s inefficiency,” Jagan alleged. He cited Karnataka’s success in convincing the Centre to buy mangoes at Rs 16 per kg, questioning why Andhra Pradesh could not do the same.

Jagan criticises alleged police restrictions

Jagan condemned the arrests and restrictions imposed on farmers who wanted to share their grievances.

“When I came to express solidarity, over 1,200 farmers were detained. Harassing them and likening them to rowdy elements is uncalled for,” he said, adding that the majority of Chittoor district’s population depends on agriculture.

Jagan warns government against repressive measures

He warned the State government against taking coercive steps against farmers and said he would continue to question it on their behalf.

“Under our term, RBKs ensured proper seeds, fertilisers, e-cropping and Markfed procured produce when prices fell,” he stated.

At present, farmers are not getting MSP for chilli, tobacco, mangoes, millets or any crop, nor are they receiving pending incentives, he said, adding that he would keep fighting for their rights and against the unfulfilled ‘Super Six’ election promises of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Police lathicharge to control crowds

During Jagan’s visit to Chittoor, a large number of YSRCP supporters gathered to welcome Jagan at the Aragonda flyover helipad, despite police allowing only 30 people. The unexpected crowd led to a stampede-like situation, forcing police to resort to a lathicharge to control the gathering.

Leader injured in chaos

In the melee, YSRCP leader Vijayananda Reddy was injured after falling from the convoy. Some women participants in the rally also fell on the ground. Witnessing the situation, Jagan stepped down from his vehicle to question the police action.

Restrictions violated during rally

Though police had denied permission for a rally or roadshow, a large convoy of vehicles accompanied Jagan from the helipad to the market yard. Police had permitted only 500 people at the market yard, but hundreds more barged in, triggering further chaos.

YSRCP slams police action

YSRCP leaders condemned the lathicharge.

Former minister Ambati Rambabu criticised the police for behaving ‘worse than the British,’ alleging that they issued notices to thousands of party workers, arrested many and imposed house arrests to restrict participation.

He also accused Chittoor SP VN Manikanth Chandolu of acting under minister Nara Lokesh’s influence and undermining the integrity of the police service.

Farmers’ plight highlighted

Another leader, Sudhakar Babu, said no lathicharge or illegal cases could stop public support for Jagan, describing him as ‘a leader born from the people, for the people.’

YSRCP leaders accused the State government of ignoring farmers’ problems, claiming mango farmers in Chittoor were forced to discard their produce on roads due to a lack of fair prices, with crops over 2.5 lakh acres damaged in the district.