Hyderabad, Sept. 21: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has condemned the detention of party leaders over the Jurala water issue.
Rama Rao demanded the immediate release of detained BRS leaders. He also urged the Telangana government to release irrigation water to farmers in the Jurala ayacut.
KTR made the demands after police detained several BRS leaders across the erstwhile Mahbubnagar region on Monday. The leaders planned to protest over irrigation water for standing crops.
Former ministers Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, C Laxma Reddy and V Srinivas Goud were among the leaders detained or placed under house arrest, according to reports. Police also stopped other BRS leaders and farmers from reaching the Jurala Project.
Rama Rao alleged that the detentions aimed to prevent the BRS from highlighting farmers’ concerns. He accused the Congress government of failing to address the irrigation demand.
“Instead of addressing the farmers’ woes, the Revanth Reddy government is attacking the BRS leaders to cover up its inefficiency,” he said.
Jurala Water Demand Gains Political Focus
KTR claimed that about 9 TMCft of water remained available in the Jurala Project. He alleged that the government was refusing to release the water for irrigation despite crop distress.
The water storage figure comes from KTR and BRS statements. Current reports did not independently verify the figure through an official storage bulletin.
KTR also claimed that about 2 TMCft would meet drinking water needs. He questioned the decision to withhold the remaining water from farmers dependent on the Jurala ayacut.
The dispute has intensified after farmers opened a left canal regulator at the project on Saturday. Irrigation officials later closed the regulator and stopped the release.
Farmers have since continued their demand for assured irrigation water. Reports said police and officials deployed personnel near the canal regulators and project premises.
BRS Seeks Release of Detained Leaders
KTR also alleged that police erected barricades around the project. He said cases were booked against farmers who tried to open the gates to protect their crops.
The allegations form part of the BRS account of the ongoing dispute. Separate reports have confirmed police deployment and the detention of BRS leaders and farmers during Monday’s protests.
Farmers also staged protests in Jogulamba Gadwal district. A group of farmers reportedly besieged the Collectorate while demanding water for the Jurala right canal.
KTR warned that continued inaction could increase anger among farmers against the Congress government. He called for the immediate release of irrigation water and detained party leaders.
The dispute has now developed into a political confrontation between the BRS and the ruling Congress. At the same time, farmers continue to press for water to protect standing crops in the Jurala ayacut.
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