Telangana: Former sarpanches arrested in Suryapet for protesting against pending bills

The ex-sarpanches have been crying for government attention as unpaid bills amounting to over Rs 1,300 crore for development works undertaken during their tenure since 2019 are pending

Suryapet: Tension prevailed in Atmakur (S) mandal of Suryapet as police arrested several former sarpanches who were on their way to Hyderabad to make a representation to the Panchayat Raj Department officials for clearance of their long-pending bills.

The arrests took place as the group attempted to reach Hyderabad to present a memorandum to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy too, highlighting their financial grievances.

The former sarpanches, part of a state-wide agitation, have been crying for government attention as unpaid bills amounting to approximately Rs 1,300 crore for development works undertaken during their tenure since 2019 are pending.

The works include the construction of graveyards, playgrounds and dumping yards, for which many sarpanches had borrowed money, mortgaged properties, or sold personal assets to fund village development projects. Despite assurances from Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to address the issue, the State government has remained indifferent. The arrests occurred as the group, carrying banners and posters, was stopped by police citing prohibitory orders against public gatherings of five or more persons.

The former sarpanches were subsequently shifted to local police stations, including Bolaram and Trimulgherry in Hyderabad. The BRS has strongly condemned the arrests, labelling them as undemocratic.