The residents and farmers of the Vemulaghat village in Telangana have been waging a relentless fight for five months against the Mallannasagar reservoir that would spread in Toguta and Kondapaka mandals of Siddipet district.
Though six to seven villages in both the mandals initially opposed the reservoir, they surrendered to the pressure tactics mounted by the authorities and politicians, and gave consent to sell their lands to the government, and signed Form I and II under GO 123.
Sarampally Malla Reddy, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) national vice-president, who was at Vemulaghat on Tuesday to participate in the 150th day of relay fast protest being observed by the villagers against the proposed construction of Mallannasagar reservoir, said there was no need for its construction. Despite suggestions by experts, the government had bulldozed its way in many villages, he alleged.
“The government cannot construct the Mallannasagar [reservoir]. If the lands were handed over under the LA Act to the government, they have to be returned to the owners if the project is not commenced in five years, and not used for the same purpose. This has happened in Kerala and West Bengal. Here, too, lands were acquired by the government in the past but not used. They need to be handed over to the rightful owners,” he told the villagers.
The villagers have decided to continue their fight.
“As long as the government does not pay us the right compensation, we will not hand over our lands,” said Hayat Uddin Ahammad, a villager.
