Land oustees observe ‘Black Day’

In protest:Villagers of Etigaddakishtapur and Singaram observing ‘Black Day’ by wearing black badges, in Medak district on Thursday. Photo: Mohd Arif

When the entire State was immersed in the Formation Day celebrations, the land oustees of Mallanna Sagar project observed ‘Black Day’ in their respective villages on Thursday.

They wore black badges and registered their protest. “We are observing Telangana Formation Day as ‘Black Day’ against the Mallanna Sagar project,” read the placards held by the residents of Singaram village.

“Black Day is being observed at Singaram, Etigaddakishtapur, Vemulagahat, Lakshmapur and Erravalli. At Vemulaghat, police prevented agitators from hoisting a black flag,” said Venkatesh Reddy, a resident of Singaram, adding that they were unable to come to terms with the fact that their villages would disappear in the next few years.