Andhra Pradesh

Water row divides villagers of two districts

Ramayampet (Medak): A small stream that runs between the forest area of Medak and Nizamabad has became a bone of contention between villages on either side.

Farmers of Tippapur of Bikkanur mandal of Nizamabad district have allegedly diverted the stream that carries rainwater to Laxmapur, Katriyala of Ramayampet mandal, Patur and Rayinpalli of Medak mandal by constructing a canal.

The canal was dug last year with an expenditure of Rs. 10 lakh.

As a result, the annual share of rainwater that used to flow into Medak side has virtually stopped.

The link ponds that fill with the help of the forest stream dried up affecting the four villages that comes under Medak Assembly segment.

Last year, during the month of February, farmers on either side started fighting for water, which resulted in the arrest of 22 farmers of Medak district for breaching the canal.

As per the agreement reached between the forest and revenue officials on the both sides, status quo was to be maintained. However on Tuesday, farmers of Tippapur allegedly with the help of Bikkanur Sub Inspector filled up the breach.

“We found out what they were doing under darkness and we breached it again in the morning,” Bhikshapathi of Katriyala told this reporter.

This lead to a series of incidents in which the farmers on both sides breached the stream and filled it again and again for almost three days.

The situation was temporarily brought under control with the Revenue and Forest officials deciding to take up a joint survey to determine the exact position of the stream. A time frame of a week has been fixed to complete the survey work.

Meanwhile, Medak legislator P. Sasidhar Reddy speaking to reporters here said that he would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy as farmers of the area have been enjoying the stream water from time immemorial.

Ramayampet legislator Padma Devender Reddy attributed the trouble to the inaction of Revenue and Forest officials of Medak. She pointed out that much of the bad blood could have been averted if the survey was completed immediately after the last year’s trouble.

Despite assurances given to them, farmers of both the mandals are camping at the banks of the stream. A police picket has been posted to control the crowds.

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