Condemning the attack of unidentified miscreants, who set fire to farm utilities in the villages falling under the proposed capital region of Andhra Pradesh, Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary K. Ramakrishna urged the government to order a detailed probe into the issue and punish those responsible for the act.
Interacting with the media on sidelines of the valedictory session of the 15th national conference of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) here on Monday, Mr. Ramakrishna flayed the miscreants for creating tension in the villages and demanded that an investigation into the issue be ordered with immediate effect, besides offering a reasonable compensation to the victimised farmers.
Mr. Ramakrishna urged the government to conduct ‘land pooling’ in a transparent manner and refrain from forcing the beneficiaries in giving up their lands. “A new capital can be constructed in a much smaller area instead of such vast lands. Besides this, having a constructive discussion with representatives from other political parties would be beneficial,” he said
The CPI demanded the Centre to accord ‘special category status’ to Andhra Pradesh, as promised before the bifurcation process. “Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu assured the people of conferring 'special status' for 10 years to A.P. and also released a book in this regard. If his government cannot fulfil their promises, Mr. Naidu should take back the book, apologise to the people and resign from his post,” the CPI leaders said.
Their other demands included a special package to North Andhra and Rayalaseema, completion of Polavaram Project and faster implementation in establishment of educational institutions in the region. AITUC State Secretariat Member P.J. Chandrasekhar called upon the working class to unite and fight for the rights of people in organised and unorganised sectors, including welfare measures, minimum wages and others.
