Political Protests, Police Crackdown on Phone Theft, Drought Crop Loss, and Murder Case Dominate Eluru News
Eluru district has been in the news across several fronts this week, with opposition parties demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters, police scoring a major recovery of stolen mobile phones worth fifty lakh rupees, farmers facing crop losses from a prolonged dry spell during the kharif season, and a murder case in the district drawing public attention.
🗳️ Left Parties and Congress Demand Withdrawal of Cases Against Eluru Protesters
Left-wing parties and the Indian National Congress have jointly called on the Andhra Pradesh state government to withdraw all criminal cases registered against individuals who took part in protests in Eluru, describing the cases as politically motivated attempts to suppress legitimate civic dissent. The demand was made at a joint press conference held in the city, where leaders from the Communist Party of India, the CPI(M) and local Congress leaders addressed media representatives and supporters of the accused. They argued that the protests in question were peaceful demonstrations on public interest issues, and that the filing of cases amounted to the criminalisation of legitimate political activity. The parties have demanded an immediate review of the charges by the state director of prosecutions and have given the government a deadline to respond, warning of further agitation if cases are not dropped. The issue has resonated with civil liberties organisations in the region, who note that crackdowns on protest have intensified in several Andhra Pradesh districts in recent months. Affected individuals, some of whom are workers and students, have been facing court appearances that disrupt their livelihoods. [2]
🗳️ Eluru Police Recover 200 Stolen Mobile Phones Worth Rs 50 Lakh
The Eluru district police announced a significant recovery operation in which approximately 200 stolen mobile phones with a combined market value of around fifty lakh rupees were seized and are being matched with their rightful owners. Officers said the phones had been collected through a series of raids and tracking operations targeting known receivers of stolen goods in the district, following tips from members of the public and data from police complaint records. The operation is part of a broader drive by the Eluru police to address the rising incidence of mobile phone theft, which has been a complaint among commuters, market visitors and students across the district. Officials from the cyber crime and property crime units worked together to trace handsets using IMEI numbers and linked them to original purchase records and complaints. Victims who lost phones in recent months have been invited to visit designated police stations to identify and claim their devices after completing verification formalities. The recovery has been welcomed by residents as an example of effective community-oriented policing, and police have encouraged citizens to register IMEI numbers at the time of purchase to facilitate future recovery operations. [3]
Dry Spell Shrinks Kharif Crop Area Across Eluru Villages, Farmers in Distress
Farmers in several villages across Eluru district have reported significant reductions in cultivated area and declining crop health this kharif season, owing to a prolonged dry spell that has left paddy, black gram and other crops struggling without adequate soil moisture. Villagers from Valavaram, Banjavuru, Kothapattiseema and Pragadavalli have described watching crop coverage shrink as rainfall proved insufficient to sustain the growing season, with nearly 1,200 acres reportedly affected by the dry conditions. The shortage of rain has forced some farmers to abandon portions of their plots or switch to less water-intensive crops mid-season, adding to cost burdens. Agriculture department officials have acknowledged the hardship but said formal crop loss surveys are still under way. Farmer groups are pressing for compensation under state disaster relief norms and for expedited release of loans and input subsidies to help affected cultivators manage debt obligations heading into the lean post-harvest period. The kharif setback adds to anxieties in a district where farming households already face the dual pressures of rising input costs and unpredictable monsoon patterns linked to broader climate variability across coastal Andhra Pradesh. [4]
Man Found Murdered in Eluru District, Police Launch Investigation
A man was found brutally murdered in Eluru district in a case that police are investigating after the body was discovered with multiple injuries indicative of a violent attack. Law enforcement officials visited the scene, filed a case under homicide provisions and have been questioning people from the victim's social and professional circle to establish a possible motive and identify suspects. Initial reports suggest the victim was known to locals in the area where the body was found, though police have withheld further details pending the completion of forensic and witness examination processes. The incident has unsettled residents in the locality, and community members have urged police to ensure a swift and transparent investigation. Eluru district has seen several serious violent crime incidents in recent months, and opposition groups have cited this case as part of a broader pattern requiring the state government to deploy more police personnel and strengthen patrolling in rural pockets of the district. The family of the victim has also demanded that authorities expedite action and provide them with regular updates on the investigation's progress. [8]
Sources: [2] The Hindu · [3] The Hindu · [4] The New Indian Express · [8] Deccan Chronicle