VISAKHAPATNAM: MRO Kanaka Rao, when contacted by The Hindu, admitted that he knew that the adivasis had been in the possession of the land but carried out the operation as the RDO had directed them to take action under Cr PC Section 146.
He also agreed that the crop was cut before harvest time and would not serve the purpose even if it was handed over back to them now.
The produce was dumped in front of the Nathavaram police station and is rotting.
Mr. Kanaka Rao also said it was not clear who owned the land and if an enquiry was initiated by the Joint Collector, he would not hesitate to say the adivasis had been cultivating the land for some time.
Meanwhile, the adivasis have decided to take up the matter with the JC. “We will give our lives but not our land. It belongs to our ancestors,” said Pydiraju.
