- Farmers Handcuffed in Gadwal
- Growing Demand for Accountability
Article Today, Hyderabad: The treatment of farmers by the police in Telangana has sparked widespread criticism. In several incidents, farmers protesting for their rights were handcuffed and dragged like criminals. The latest event in Jogulamba Gadwal district has triggered a fresh wave of outrage across the state.
Farmers Handcuffed in Gadwal
Farmers in Rajoli mandal’s Peddadhanwada village have been protesting for months against the construction of an ethanol factory. They fear the factory will damage the environment and harm agricultural lands in at least twelve nearby villages. On June 4, the protest intensified when the farmers tried to stop the construction work.
Police registered cases against 41 farmers and arrested 12 of them. They were later sent to judicial custody. On June 18, after securing bail, the farmers were being transferred from Mahabubnagar jail to Alampur court. Shockingly, police handcuffed them during this transfer, treating them like hardened criminals. Photos and videos of this incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing strong public condemnation.
Farmer Commission Reacts Strongly
Farmer Commission Chairman Kodandaram reacted sharply and questioned Gadwal district SP Srinivas Rao about the incident. Although the SP announced that three police officers involved had been suspended, the controversy did not subside. Many believe this is part of a continuing pattern of police highhandedness against farmers in the state. The incident has revived memories of earlier cases where farmers were similarly mistreated, raising serious concerns about the police’s approach.
Similar Incident During Khammam’s Chilli Crisis
A similar case occurred during the chilli farmers’ protests in Khammam in 2017-18. At that time, farmers had taken to the streets demanding fair prices for their produce. They protested against market delays and alleged corruption at procurement centres.
The then BRS government deployed police forces to control the agitation. Several farmers were arrested and taken to court in handcuffs. This harsh response triggered statewide protests and was widely criticised. Treating farmers who were only seeking a fair price as criminals deeply disturbed the public and highlighted the government’s insensitivity towards farmers’ struggles.
Laghcherla Incident: Chains in the Hospital
The Gadwal and Khammam cases are not isolated. In another incident at Laghcherla village in Vikarabad district, tribal farmers protested against the establishment of a pharma company. During the protest, some farmers were arrested. One of the arrested farmers fell seriously ill while in jail and was shifted to a hospital.
Disturbingly, even during his treatment, police kept the farmer’s hands in handcuffs and chained his legs. This incident, which occurred in December last year, sparked a huge controversy. The National Human Rights Commission and the SC/ST Commissions criticised the incident, but the government failed to take strict action.
The absence of a humane approach by the police, even when the farmer’s health was at risk, led to heated discussions on social media. The event was seen as a reflection of the government’s negligence towards farmers’ dignity and rights.
Growing Demand for Accountability
Farmers’ groups and civil society are now demanding that the government ensure the respectful treatment of protesting farmers. They argue that using handcuffs and chains against peaceful protesters is both unacceptable and unjustified. The repeated use of such measures signals a dangerous trend that needs immediate correction. The incidents in Gadwal, Khammam, and Vikarabad have raised urgent questions about policing standards and human rights in the state. Farmers continue to seek justice while the public watches closely for the government’s next move.
