Human Rights Forum (HRF) and Paryavarana Parirakshana Sangham (PPS) on Sunday launched a fresh agitation against the proposed thermal plant of Sumitomo Corporation, a Japanese company. The company has signed an agreement with the government for the setting up of a 4,000 mega watt ultra super thermal project at Baruva.
Agitations against the thermal power project of Nagarjuna Construction Company had been the order of the day at Sompeta near Baruva for the last five years. The company was earlier given nod to acquire land for setting up the project. The government scrapped the GO 1104 but proposed the Japanese project close to Sompeta, triggering a series of protests.
HRF and PPS members organised meetings at Baruva, Haripuram, and Mandasa and accused the government of making Srikakulam district an experiment centre through its “destructive development proposals”. HRF State general secretary V.S. Krishna alleged that the government had ignored people’s feelings and needs by proposing thermal and nuclear plants in the district.
“The distance between Baruva and Sompeta is just 9 km. So, there is no point cancelling the project at Sompeta and proposing one at Baruva. So, we will create awareness among people about the bad effects of setting up the project near water bodies. We will also fight against the Kovvada nuclear project,” Mr. Krishna said.
PPS leaders Y. Krishna Murthy, B. Dhelli Rao, HRF district president K.V. Jagannatha Rao and HRF district general secretary I. Ananda Rao asked local residents to brace for a long-term agitation if the government went ahead with forcible land acquisition for construction of power projects. “The government is misleading people by claiming that the Japanese project is environment-friendly. But, people are wise, and they are aware of its impact on the environment,” Mr. Krishna Murthy said.
The activists will also tour Kakarapalli, Ponduru and Kovvada to garner public support for the protection of environment and interests of farmers.
The company has signed agreement with govt. for a 4,000 mega watt thermal project at Baruva
