Kavitha Arrested During TRS Protest Over Delay In Paddy Procurement

Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) president K. Kavitha was arrested by police on Friday after leading a protest near the Telangana Secretariat, demanding immediate procurement of paddy and other crops from farmers across the state.

Kavitha, along with TRS activists, attempted to lay siege to the Secretariat alleging that the state government was delaying the purchase of paddy, sunflower and other agricultural produce , causing severe hardship to farmers.

Addressing protesters during the dharna, Kavitha accused the Congress government of neglecting the farming community despite mounting distress in rural areas. She alleged that farmers cultivating paddy, jowar and sunflower crops were struggling due to delays at procurement centres and lack of government response.

She expressed concern over reports of farmers allegedly dying near procurement centres amid extreme summer heat and prolonged waiting periods. According to her, the government was intentionally delaying procurement and avoiding bonus payments promised to farmers under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism.

Holding placards carrying slogans such as “Bonus Must Be Paid For Fine Variety Paddy” and “Do Farmers’ Lives Have No Value?”, TRS workers raised slogans against the government and demanded immediate intervention.

Kavitha further alleged that officials and millers were harassing farmers by citing moisture content issues and making deductions during weighing. She claimed that quality paddy was being wrongly categorised as lower grade produce, resulting in financial losses for farmers.

The TRS leader also criticised the government over fertiliser supply issues, stating that farmers were facing difficulties in accessing urea and that the newly introduced app-based system was confusing and ineffective for many cultivators.

Targeting Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy , Kavitha alleged that no comprehensive review of the agriculture department had been conducted in the last two-and-a-half years. She urged the Chief Minister to personally visit procurement centres, reassure farmers and ensure that every grain produced by farmers is purchased without delay.

Warning of intensified agitation in the coming days, Kavitha said Friday’s protest was only a “sample demonstration” and cautioned that if procurement was not completed before the onset of monsoon rains, the TRS would launch a larger statewide movement.

Following the protest, police detained several demonstrators, including Kavitha, and shifted her to the Falaknuma Police Station .