Kashmir-like situation in AP Capital villages

* Farmers being arrested, midnight door knocks abound

* People forced to name YSRCP leaders for crop-burning
* Capital area farmers meet YS Jagan at Hyderabad
* Hapless ryots pour out tales of woe

Police highhandedness, midnight door knocks, arrests and custodial harassment, forcing the farmers to implicate political rivals..... This is the terrifying scenario in villages like Penumaka, Undavalli, Uddandarayapalem and other villages that have been notified as being part of the AP's new capital region.

The farmers who are refusing to part with their lands are being harassed to no end. Cases are being foisted and persons are being asked to report in the police stations. A large number of harassed farmers from Undavalli, Penumaka and neighbouring villages have on Monday met YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his Lotus Pond office to pour out their woes. Here is what the farmers said:

Balaji Reddy, Undavalli: I and several farmers were arrested by Mangalagiri police. They brought pressure on me and my colleagues to implicate YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and others in the setting ablaze agricultural fields in the areas that will form the capital region. It was only after the local YSRCP MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy intervened, that we were released. The police have unleashed a reign of terror in the villages.

Usha Rani, Undavalli: My sons and my brother in law have been arrested in the dead of the night by the police. My landholding is very small. If I lose it, I will not have anything to sustain myself. We are not allowed to go to neighbouring villages like Penumaka. We are being forced to name YSRCP leaders for the burning of agricultural crops.

Kalvam Sambi Reddy, Undavalli: The police activities are on the rise in the villages. A large number of police are moving in the village unleasing a reign of terror. I was in Tirupati when my crops were burnt and rushed to the village. Even without coming to my village, the agriculture minister had said that it was done by YSRCP activists. When we countered him for making statements without visiting the village, we were roughed up and were taken into custody. I was in the police custody for several days.

Malleswari, Undavalli: I have just one acre and two children to take care of. My husband passed away years ago. If my land is taken away, I can I live? How can I take care of my children?

Naresh Reddy, Undavalli: The police picked me up and made me sit in the police station for several hours on Sunday evening. When I introduced my name, the police told me my phone number and other details. This indicates that the police have been keeping a tab on my activities. The situation in the area reminds one of Kashmir. There is so much of fear and tension in the villages. They are asking us to name YSRCP leaders.

MS Reddy, Nidamarru: A youth, identified as Naresh Choudary is in police custody for the past five days. No one knows where he is. Five Dalits have been arrested for supporting YSRCP. There is a terror like situation in the village. Our lands are fertile and we can cultivate three crops an year. Our villages are close to Vijayawada city. We are living in fear.