Several CPI(M) leaders and activists were arrested in Patarlapalli village of Ranasthalam mandal when they tried to campaign against the proposed atomic power plant. CITU Srikakulam district general secretary D.Govinda Rao and, other Left party local leaders Ch.Ammannaidu, S.Sitarama Raju, B.Srinu and Guruvu Naidu were taken into custody for gathering the support of locals to oppose the power plant. They have been sent to JR Puram Police Station and later released on station bail.
Mr. Govinda Rao alleged that the TDP government was misusing its power to suppress the voices of villagers and Left party sympathisers to complete land acquisition process by hook or by crook. “Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu strongly opposed atomic and thermal plants in Srikakulam district when he was in opposition. Now he changed his stand and extended support for the land acquisition without addressing genuine concerns of people,” he added.
Meanwhile, officials were worried on how to conduct the ‘grama sabha’ in villages like Kotapalem and Tekkali with people strongly opposing land survey. The survey teams were not allowed to measure the land. The revenue officials said that people who occupied government lands long ago were supporting Left leaders in disturbing land survey.
