HYDERABAD, February 5: Former sarpanchs gathered in front of the Telangana Secretariat on Wednesday to protest the non-payment of pending bills. Organised by the Telangana Sarpanchs Association, the demonstrators demanded immediate settlement of dues.
In response to the protest, police were deployed in large numbers at the Secretariat. Several former sarpanchs were arrested and removed from the premises.
The former sarpanchs expressed their frustration, stating that despite their terms ending 13 months ago, their pending bills remain unpaid. They claimed to have submitted multiple representations to the Chief Minister, ministers, and officials, but their issue remains unresolved.
In a symbolic act of desperation, some protesters draped nooses around their necks, indicating that they saw no option but death if their demands were not met. One female former sarpanch was seen tearfully pleading for the release of the pending funds.
As of now, there has been no official response from the state government regarding the protest or the demands of the former sarpanchs.
