After the visits of social activists like Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh, land owners of river front villages who have so far resisted moves to pool their lands got support from Yogendra Yadav, leader of Swaraj Abhiyan, who undertook a visit to the region on Wednesday.
A delegation of social activists led by Mr. Yadav and comprising Adil Mohammad and activists from Telangana and Kerala visited the river front villages starting from Tadepalli, Penumala, Undavalli, Uddandarayepalem and Rayapudi.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Yadav appealed to the government to leave out multi-cropped irrigated land from the proposed acquisition or else arrive at a mutually consented agreement with land owners after genuinely addressing their concerns.
“This is a democratically elected government, and it cannot go against the wishes of people. We appeal to the government to leave out fertile lands. Anyhow, they do not need these lands for the capital,” Mr. Yadav said.
He also warned against moves to coerce land owners into falling in line by threatening to go for land acquisition.
“The threat of land acquisition cannot be used to force farmers into giving away their lands.
Land is the only asset with the farmer,” he said.
Replying to a question on the support he would give to farmers, Mr. Yadav said struggle was the only option left for farmers and added that all civic organisations, including the National Alliance for People Movement, would back the struggle of farmers.
Rayapudi Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society president Mallella Harindranath Chowdary was also present.
This is a democratically elected government, and it cannot go against the wishes of people. We appeal to the government to leave out fertile lands.
Yogendra Yadav,
Swaraj Abhiyan leader
