The ongoing agitation by the residents of about 14 villagers against the proposed construction of Mallannasagar reservoir, as part of larger Kaleswaram reservoir, has attracted international attention.
A team of journalist from Al Jazeera, a Doha-based State funded broadcaster, visited Etigaddaksihtapur on Thursday and interacted with the agitators. The land acquisition issue pertained to Gajwel and Dubbak constituencies spread like a wild fire not only across the district but also across the State.
Leaders of all major political parties visited the agitating villagers of Etigaddakishtapur, Vemulaghat and Erravalli, and expressed their solidarity with them. Also, intellectuals, representatives of civil organisations visited these villages.
Meanwhile a reported stay issued by the High Court on Thursday directing the State Government not to force the farmers to sell their land under GO 123 has boosted the moral of the agitators. This is also doing rounds from afternoon in the WhatsApp group - Mallanna Sagar Porata Samithi.
“In significant development on Thursday, the High Court passed an order saying farmers must not be forced to sell their lands using GO 123. The court passed this order while disposing a writ petition filed by 24 farmers affected by Palmur lift irrigation project of Binjepally mandal of Mahabunagar district,” informed the message to the agitators. The group has 256 members. In a related development, the residents of Etigaddakishtapur held ‘vanta varpu’ programme in the village as part of their continuing protests. “Three days ago we have performed ‘shava yatra’ of those who sold their lands to the government. Today, we are performing their pedda karma ,” said Bhaskar, an activist.
