Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Curfew-like atmosphere prevails in Agency area: CPI(M) leader

VISAKHAPATNAM: As the environmental public hearing on bauxite mining in the Jerrela block in Visakha Agency area, which is being totally opposed by the Girijans and others, scheduled at Chintapalli on October 3 is fast nearing police force is being moved in large numbers. Political parties and others have intensified their campaign against the bauxite mining.

The situation about one month ago, according to reports, was that the Maoists were roaming freely in their strongholds, including Jerrela and other places. They have been telling the Girijans to oppose bauxite mining at any cost. The Maoists have withdrawn from the area once the police moved in large numbers.

At present the police are consolidating themselves on the hills and two or three days before the public hearing, they are expected to move into the villages. Each of the 58 villages in G.K. Veedhi and Chintapalli mandals, which come under bauxite mining area, will have a posse of at least 21 constables. Check posts would be set up at G.K. Veedhi, Downuru, Annavaram and Lothugedda and people attending the public hearing would be thoroughly checked.

At Chintapalli the police, through loudspeakers fitted on their vehicles are telling people about the public hearing and requesting them to cooperate as they would be frisked due to the area being a naxalite-prone one and that they would not be allowed to carry weapons and sticks.

“A curfew-like situation is prevailing there and the locals are saying a panic situation is created showing the Maoists as an excuse”, CPI (M) district secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao said while talking to The Hindu.

He alleged that the policemen now stationed on the hills are picking up the Girijans working in their fields and harassing them. They would be detained with them for one day before being released. The Girijans are thoroughly asked about their village and its visitors. One Chilakala Atchibabu of Rallagedda was picked up by the police on Thursday last and released next day, he said.

The public hearing is a good opportunity for the Girijans to express themselves against bauxite mining and why the police expect them to create trouble at the meeting? Asked Mr. Narasinga Rao.

The distance between two places in the Visakha Agency area is not long but the journey takes a long time due to the uneven terrain and lack of regular transport. Half of the 58 villages in the two mandals (there are eight villages in Malkangiri mandal of Orissa which will also be affected by bauxite mining) have this problem and the Government must arrange free transport for the people, he said.

The CPI (M) and the CPI are canvassing in the villages against bauxite mining and conducting signature campaigns. But the police were trying to put hurdles, Mr. Narasinga Rao alleged. On September 24, when the AP Girijana Sangham organised a public meeting at Chintapalli and invited the CPI and Telugu Desam, all public and private transport to the mandal headquarters was stopped. The police were yet to give a satisfying answer why the vehicles were ordered off the roads, he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Vizag catches the eye of Aussie investors
Royal Bengal tiger implanted with microchip
Fishermen allege suppression by officials
Curfew-like atmosphere prevails in Agency area: CPI(M) leader
175 trainees join VSP
Open letter to NJR
Maha dharna held
Rumours trigger panic reaction
An issue much larger than braving the waves focus
Drop bauxite mining proposal, CPI tells government
Visakhapatnam today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu