Superintendent of Police C.M. Trivikram Varma on Thursday warned of stern action if people try to stop the Vamsadhara project works in Hiramandalam and advised the displaced persons to approach the revenue officials to get their grievances redressed.
There were reports of people obstructing the project works in places such as Garlapadu and Tulagam, he said. Mr. Varma also expressed concern over blocking of the vehicles of revenue officials when they wanted to hold talks with the villagers over payment of compensation. Being a sensitive issue, the police were maintaining restraint, Mr. Varma said.
The displaced persons were not allowing even the media to enter their villages.
Bias alleged
Sources, however, attributed the messy situation to the “blunders” committed by a few revenue officials earlier. They were accused of showing bias in finalising compensation for properties of equal value. It was alleged that several people had been given huge compensation by inflating the values of their structures, trees, etc. This apart, it was alleged there was inordinate delay in making payments during 2006-07 even for those who had accepted the compensation offered.
The government had to stop the project works following dispute over sharing of waters with the neighbouring Odisha. This was also said to have led to delay in land acquisition.
To find a permanent solution to the vexed issue, the government recently announced a youth package and made payments under it to persons still residing in the villages despite acquisition of their lands. The package was, however, not extended to the families that had left the village. This too had turned out to be the bone of contention.
The revenue officials faced a peculiar problem with the implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 for certain projects in the district. The Act brought a windfall for the project-displaced.
The situation turned ticklish with the Vamsadhara-oustees too seeking compensation under the new Act despite the High Court making it clear that it could not be applied in their case as the lands had been acquired much earlier.
Political parties such as the YSR Congress Party and the Left parties were, however, insisting on payment of compensation to the Vamsadhara-affected as per the new Act as the villagers had been given meagre amount (below ₹2 lakh) as compensation
CPI(M) senior leader and vice-president of the AP Displaced Persons Association B. Krishnamurthy accused the government of using police force instead of addressing the grievances of the displaced persons.
YSRCP district president Reddi Shanti, extending her solidarity with the displaced persons, said on Thursday that the government was inducing fear among the project-affected by deploying heavy police force in several villages of Hiramandalam and Kotturu.
District Collector K. Dhanunjaya Reddy and Joint Collector K.V.N. Chakradharbabu reportedly sent a note to the government explaining the steps taken to resolve the issue and hoped to restore normalcy soon.
