Rewa fertiliser crisis deepened: lathi charge on farmers, then police handed out toffees; urea due from 8 September

The deepening fertiliser crisis in Rewa district brought farmers out onto the streets. Anger grew when farmers who had been in line for four days did not get fertiliser and the distribution centre was suddenly closed. On Tuesday night a confrontation arose between farmers and police and a lathi charge took place. There was anger across the district after the incident.

Several farmers were injured in the lathi charge. Women and elderly people were also hurt. But the very next day, Wednesday, police shared a video on social media of themselves distributing biscuits and toffees to farmers. Police claimed the action had been against anti-social elements. Farmers rejected this claim, saying there were no troublemakers there and all were farmers distressed by the shortage of fertiliser.

Meanwhile, new information emerged on fertiliser supply. District Marketing Federation manager Shikha Verma said two rakes of urea would reach Rewa by late on the night of 4 September, carrying 1,800 tonnes and 2,700 tonnes of urea. However, because of continuous holidays from 5 to 7 September, distribution was to begin on 8 September (Monday).

Farmers beaten with batons, situation worsened

After waiting all day Tuesday, when farmers got no fertiliser and the centre was closed, angry farmers began protesting at the gate. Slogans were raised and the atmosphere turned tense.

According to eyewitnesses, at this point Kotwali police station in-charge Shringesh Rajput, instead of persuading the farmers, suddenly ordered a lathi charge. Police chased and beat the farmers. Several farmers fell to the ground and were injured.

A 70-year-old farmer said in tears: I have been in line since Sunday. My body has given up. I got a token after four days, but I no longer have the strength to carry the fertiliser away.

Police claimed a conspiracy

Rewa Superintendent of Police Vivek Singh:

Rewa SP Vivek Singh said the action was taken not against farmers but against anti-social elements. He claimed that some troublemakers snatched the microphone from officials, knocked over the sound system and had collected bricks with the intention of attacking.

The SP said police took fair and purposeful action, that there was neither brutality nor any serious injury to anyone, that efforts were made to maintain peace, and that the farmers also cooperated.

However, farmers rejected this statement. They said there were no troublemakers there; all were farmers who had not even received tokens and were standing in line hungry and thirsty.

Attempt to improve image with toffees and biscuits

On Wednesday, the day after the lathi charge, Rewa Police shared photos and videos on social media of themselves distributing biscuits and toffees to farmers. Police described it as an example of cordial relations.

But the Congress mocked this. Congress spokesperson Vinod Sharma said:

Congress spokesperson Vinod Sharma

It has become Rewa Police’s policy to first wield the lathi on farmers and then hand them toffees like children. Do the district’s farmers stand in line to eat toffees? Even children today buy their own toffees; give the farmers fertiliser.

Farmers’ pain

Photo of farmers

Farmers accused the administration of irregularities and mismanagement. One farmer said: If you were not going to give fertiliser, you should have told us earlier. We would have gone home. Now the government itself is blaming the farmers. Are all the farmers of the entire district anti-social elements?

Farmer organisations also condemned the police action and said it was an injustice to farmers.

Statement of the in-charge collector

In-charge Collector Dr Saurabh Sonawane:

Rewa’s in-charge Collector Dr Saurabh Sonawane said arrangements for farmers were being continuously improved. Regular monitoring was being carried out at the district’s double-lock and single-lock centres.

He appealed to farmers to take fertiliser only as needed so that supply would reach all needy farmers.

Chief Minister’s strong displeasure

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav:

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav expressed displeasure over the incident. At a meeting of officials on Wednesday, he said:

If fertiliser distribution is not done properly, it means collectors are unable to run their districts. Such collectors will have to be removed.

The CM directed that representatives of farmer organisations also be included in the fertiliser distribution system. He warned that collectors would be directly responsible for any mismanagement in any district.

When would fertiliser be available?

Farmers had to wait for the time being for fertiliser supply. District Marketing Federation manager Shikha Verma said:

Two rakes of urea will reach Rewa by late on the night of 4 September, with 1,800 tonnes and 2,700 tonnes of urea. However, 5, 6 and 7 September are holidays. Distribution will therefore start from Monday, 8 September.

She said the administration had assigned officials to duty at distribution centres to prevent any mismanagement.

Roots of the fertiliser crisis

The fertiliser crisis persisted across the Vindhya region including Rewa. Farmers lined up from midnight and slept on the road until morning. Often, even after standing in line for hours, they did not get a token.

The same happened on Tuesday. Farmers waited all day but got no fertiliser. As evening fell and the centre was closed, anger flared and clashed with police.

Farmers’ pain versus the administration’s clarification

While farmers said in despair that they had come to get fertiliser, not as criminals, the administration repeatedly said supply would soon improve. But this clash and lathi charge showed that the test of the farmers’ patience had become very hard.