Gamla Lakshmaiah, a farmer of Mamidyala in Mulugu mandal, two days ago registered surrendered his four-and-a-half acres of land at Thanedarpally, to the government for the proposed Kondapochamma reservoir.
However, he is not happy with the decision to sell the land to the government.
“It is the property inherited from our grandparents. Even though I was not ready to sell my land I was forced to sell it to the Chief Minister. What I can do except bow to the pressure?” Lakshmaiah said, unable to control his tears.
A photo taken of his weeping has been doing rounds in the social media.
Meanwhile, the police vigil on villages falling under Kondapochamma has reportedly been increased. Some villagers who tried to meet the District Collector were prevented by the police.
Police vigil
“On Wednesday we were going to Siddipet to meet the Collector and submit a representation seeking higher compensation. We were stopped by the police outside the village,” said a villager from Bailampur village in Mulugu mandal. “When we asked the police whether we did not have a right to seek a better compensation, they told us that they would not allow us to go as a group and would only allow one or two persons to go and meet the Collector. They even threatened us with dire consequences, if we did not heed to them,” the farmer added. The police reportedly went around in the village on Thursday to assess the situation.
Four villages — Bailampur, Mamidyala, Thanedarpally and Thanedarpally Tanda — would get submerged under the proposed Kondapochamma reservoir in Gajwel constituency being represented by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Meagre compensation
During last week Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao called some of the villagers from these villages and promised to pay a compensation of ₹12 lakh per acre in addition to construction of a double bedroom house for each family.
“We are not ready to sell our land at the price offered by the government. Moreover no notices have been issued to us in person stating that the government would acquire our lands. We are being prevented when we are trying to question our right. Where can we go? To whom should we tell our problems and that too when we are being threatened by the police?” asked another villager on condition of anonymity.
Many villagers are afraid of being identified as it is the Chief Minister’s constituency and the police would focus on those raising their voice. “Our future will be at stake if we are identified,” said a student of the village who has been preparing for TSPSC examinations.
