Protest at Eluru Collectorate against ‘repressive measures’ on people’s movements

Farmers, agricultural labourers, workers and mass organisations staged a dharna in front of Eluru Collectorate on Monday, demanding the State government to stop what they described as repressive measures against people’s movements.

The protesters sought immediate withdrawal of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act imposed on Anakapalli district farmers’ leader M. Appalaraju and demanded that alleged false cases filed against tribal farmers of Inumuru village in Buttayagudem mandal be dropped.

Raising slogans against suppression of democratic protests, the demonstrators accused the government of misusing coercive laws to silence dissent. Addressing the gathering, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers’ Union State vice-president A. Ravi, district secretary P. Ramakrishna, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham district secretary K. Srinivas, and CITU district general secretary D.N.V. Prasad alleged that Appalaraju had been illegally detained under the PD Act and lodged in Visakhapatnam Central jail since December 24, 2025.

They said the PD Act, meant for habitual offenders such as smugglers and land grabbers, was being misused against a farmers’ leader who was supporting people’s struggles. The speakers opposed the proposed bulk drugs project at Rajayyapeta in Nakkapalli mandal, alleging it would pollute the coastal region, damage marine resources and affect fishermen’s livelihoods. They recalled that the 2013 Land Acquisition Act mandates consent of affected farmers before acquiring agricultural land for industrial projects.

The leaders also condemned the alleged destruction of standing crops by revenue and police officials in Inumuru village and the filing of cases against tribal farmers, besides criticising the opening of rowdy sheets against student activists in Visakhapatnam.

Demanding revocation of the PD Act against Appalaraju, withdrawal of cases against tribal farmers and students, and an end to repression of people’s movements, the protesters warned of intensified agitation if their demands were ignored.