Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Odd couple!

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD March 3. This is a bizarre case of a couple, die-hard followers of the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, cutting off their little fingers for being unable to obtain housing plots for the landless near Guntur town in Andhra Pradesh.

N. Krishnamurty and N. Tulasamma, run the Adarsa Mahila Mandali (Progressive Women's Group) that claims a membership of over 530 landless poor. Having identified about 30 acres of land declared as surplus under the Urban Land Ceiling Act in Agatavarupadu village, they petitioned Mr. Naidu to distribute it to the landless way back in 1999.

Despite his intervention, the local authorities were conniving with a few big farmers and selling the land, the couple allege. So, they have taken to hungerstrikes, signature campaigns, walking on foot till the capital and in exasperation cut off their fingers.

The couple have vowed not to set foot in their native place till a probe is conducted into the land dealings and the group members are given housing plots. They would in the meantime travel different districts and worship in Tirumala for Mr. Naidu's well-being!

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