Rayalaseema farmers bound to Alugu project prevented, arrested

The Kurnool police have promulgated ban orders under Section 144 and arresting Rayalaseeema farmers bound to Siddheshwaram Alugu in Atmakur mandal in the district in a bid to prevent the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the farmers to ensure waters for the Seema districts. Farmers are being arrested and prevented from proceeding to Siddheshawaram Alugu. The people of the Rayalaseema districts see the Alugu project as panacea for solving their water woes. They have been representing to the Andhra Pradesh government to take up the project, but the government had not been following up on their demand like the Telangana government was doing for its irrigation projects. The agitated farmers are trying to reach Alugu from every nook and corner, and the police are moving in strength to arrest them. Among those arrested was a brother of Srisailam MLA Budda Rajasekhara Reddy, Budda Sesha Reddy, who was arrested from his residence at Velpanur. He is now under house arrest. Rajasekhara Reddy recently defected from the YCP and joined the ruling TDP.