Anantapur: A farmer died during a stampede during the distribution of seeds for alternative crops at Ravankonda market yard in the district on Thursday. The death united the farmers who gathered to demand justice to the family of victim, Dasari Siddappa, 58.
Siddappa, 58 of Raketla village in Uravakonda mandal, had arrived at the seed selling centre at the market yard in Uravakonda town, seeking seeds in the place of the traditional ground nut crop. Farmers are going for alternative crops, especially millets, in view of the poor rains. The government has started seed selling centres at various parts of the district to provide alternatives.
There was overcrowding and jostling at the Uravakonda sale point, resulting in a stampede as farmers tried to reach for the seeds at the counters.
Sources said Siddappa collapsed in the stampede. Others immediately shifted him to the Uravakonda hospital where doctors declared him ‘brought dead’.
