A day after the High Court direction to the State Government not to forcibly acquire land from farmers under GO 123, there was panic reaction by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
While all these days, the land oustees of Mallannasagar project protested the government move with the support of other political parties, there was dramatic developments as a new movement in support of the project began on Friday.
Demanding that the State Government construct Mallannasagar reservoir, farmers’ organisations in the name of Telangana Rashtra Rythu Sanghala Samakhya (TRRSS) took out rallies at Mirdoddi, Siddipet, Chegunta, Gajwel and Dubbak.
“This project will become lifeline for us. Why are the Opposition parties instigating farmers against the construction of project when the government is offering good compensation, compared with the previous governments?” asked the agitators who participated in rallies in support of constructing the project. However, none of those commented on the High Court direction except demanding construction of the reservoir.
Seek ‘right compensation’
In a related development that would increase the pressure on the government, the convenors of Mallannasagar, National Manufacturing and Investment Zone (NIMZ), Ghanapur anicut and Mission Bhagiratha project have commenced indefinite fast at the district headquarters on Friday demanding right compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
“The land rates have sky rocketed once the project was announced and no one was ready to sell their land for the compensation being offered by the government. Can Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao sell his lands for the same price he has been offering to farmers?” asked former Rajya Sabha member Solipet Ramalinga Reddy while inaugurating the indefinite fast camp. He wanted the government to implement the Land Acquisition Act instead of GO 123.
OUJAC visit
Meanwhile, a team of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) members visited Erravalli, Pallepahad, Vemulghat and Etigaddakishtapur on Friday and expressed their solidarity with the agitators. They said that they would participate in road blockade and other programmes if necessary. Responding to the comments being made by Ministers, the Mallannasagar Porata Samithi (MSPS) said that they are not against construction of project but are demanding compensation under the Land Acquisition Act.
