Aqua fraud: Farmers protest again for payment of Rs 26 crore dues

Bhimavaram (West Godavari): Aqua farmers from six coastal districts staged a protest demonstration in front of the Haripriya Marine Exports Company owner Toram Venkateswara Rao's residence at Bank Colony here on Wednesday for his failure to pay Rs 26 crore dues as promised by him in the presence of the police on May 1. The farmers, who supplied shrimp and fish to the company, stormed his firm and residence just one month ago. The police intervened then and arranged for a meeting with the victims and the owner of the firm. Venkateswara Rao gave an assurance to pay the dues in two instalments within one month. The farmers relented and were expecting the payment of dues. However, Venkateswara Rao failed to meet the deadline of payment. The farmers realised that he was cheating them with false promises when they came to know about his alleged attempts to transfer assets to other members of the family. The victims again stormed Haripriya owner's residence on Wednesday and protested.