The Communist Party of India (CPI) State unit has resumed its land struggle on Thursday by symbolically occupying 32-acre land stretch under “unauthorised occupation” by a real-estate development company.
CPI State secretary K. Narayana led activists and villagers in occupying the land at Dandumylaram village in Ibrahimpatnam mandal on the city outskirts. Dr. Narayana, accompanied by the party’s Ranga Reddy district secretary Bala Mallesh, ploughed the land using a tractor marking commencement of cultivation.
As the protesters tried to enter into the government lands in the areas, they were taken into preventive custody and moved to Ibrahimpatnam. They were released later. The land, according to Dr. Narayana, was assignment land given to Dalits and weaker sections but the government remained mute spectator to the ‘encroachment’. He said the proposed sixth phase of land distribution by the government was a “farce” as a majority of the beneficiaries of the previous phases was yet to get the possession of lands, which were given to them.
Meanwhile, CPI floor leader in the Assembly G. Mallesh criticised the government for lacking commitment in solving the problems faced by the people. The government had totally failed in alleviating the problems of the poor. He demanded that the government convene a 15-day session of the Legislative Assembly ahead of the Presidential elections to discuss the issues of immediate importance.