Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Mudigonda firing

Saturday’s police firing in the Mudigonda village of Andhra Pradesh that claimed six lives was the end result of the government’s intolerance of people’s issues. Instead of addressing the land struggle, the government exploited the issue and created havoc in the name of law and order. It is obvious from the manner in which it has dealt with the agitation in the past three months. Lathi charges, foisting of police cases, and manhandling of agitators have marked its response to the agitation.

J.V.L.N. Murthy,
Vijayawada

The killing of six CPI (M) activists bears testimony to the class character of the Rajasekhara Reddy government in particular and the Congress in general. The Congress came to power in the State because of the people’s discontent over the neo-liberal policies of the TDP government. One of the important promises in the Congress’ election manifesto was redistribution of homestead and agricultural lands to the poor. The fact that the government has failed to implement the report of its own Cabinet Minister, Koneru Ranga Rao, let alone its pre-election promises, only exposes the dominance of the landed interests in the Congress party.

Shantanu De Roy,
New Delhi

It is easy for the haves to bend the law and acquire lands. But the have-nots have to struggle for land that is part of their right to livelihood. It is the Andhra Pradesh government that is to blame for its failure to bring about an amicable settlement within a timeframe. Why can’t governments act as swiftly as they do to clear lands for SEZs with respect to land reforms too? The police should be trained to maintain order by using means other than firing in situations where the poor have waited long enough and are impatient.

V. Pandiraja,
Maruthangudi

The Mudigonda killings are a blot on the democratic functioning of the Congress government. Police repression without any provocation is highly deplorable. Indiscriminate firing at poor peasants and agriculture labour is unjustifiable by any standards. Was the incident a reflection of the government’s impatience or was it overreaction by the police?

M.S.R.A. Srihari,
Khammam

Most of the agitators were landless poor. Yet the police thought it fit to resort to firing. The desperate agitators might have pelted the police with stones. But such brute force against the poor is unwarranted. The Chief Minister has blood on his hands. He has lost the moral right to govern.

G. David Milton,
Maruthancode

Is police firing warranted to disperse an unorganised crowd? Mr. Reddy has of late earned the wrath of not only the opposition but also the people of Andhra Pradesh for his autocratic behaviour. It is time he initiated wider consultations over issues of immediate public concern and stopped hurling invectives in the Assembly.

M. Rama Krishna,
Kakinada

The Left parties are creating unrest in the State. Parties such as the TDP are encouraging them for political gains. And it is the unfortunate, innocent poor who are becoming victims. How can law and order be maintained when responsible parties behave irresponsibly?

K. Venkatanarayana,
Nadigama

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