A group of protestors, who questioned the proposed construction activity for a food court on the beach road, were subjected to `preventive arrests' and released late on Sunday evening.
About 1,400 square yards of land was barricaded just behind singer Ghantasala's statue on the Beach Road, but working president of Malamahanadu Dulam Busi Raju along with representatives of other organisations organised a peaceful dharna with police permission, but the construction activity continued on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Better Visakha questioned the justification of GVMC in alienating the land for the purpose of constructing a food court, while it was given to them by Andhra University for developing green belt.
The land was originally donated by the Kommireddy family to the Andhra University for educational use. “We look at this irregular land alienation by the GVMC prompted at the instance of some influential persons,” said FBV convener EAS Sarma.
The FBV has requested the GVMC to order an independent probe.
It said the proposed construction infringed on CRZ regulations. “I had cautioned GVMC Commissioner not to become party to any such CRZ infringement in view of the directions issued by the AP High Court on July 7, 2007 in WP 8177/2007. We feel that your action would come in direct conflict with the court's direction,” Mr. Sarma opined.
