“We do not want Mallannasagar project at all. Also, we want to know the reasons for the government not coming forward to pay compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013?” says Srikanth Reddy of Etigaddakishtapur.
Mr. Reddy was one among the scores of people of the village and neighbouring villages who participated in ‘Vanta Varpu’ programme at the village centre on Monday night. The villagers were protesting over acquisition of land for Komuravelli Mallannasagar reservoir, part of Kaleswaram - Kandi project.
After attacking the houses of some of those who were prepared to sell their lands to the government in the village on Saturday, they held a meeting in the evening. They also continued their protest late in the night by rising slogans against both Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao. Most of the oustees are residents of Gajwel and Dubbak constituencies being represented by Mr. Rao and S. Ramalinga Reddy
Similar agitation has been taking place, not yet on a peak scale though at Zaheerabad constituency, being represented by lone Congress MLA and former Minister J. Geeta Reddy. So far, she did not take active part in the agitation taken by oustees of the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ), though she openly expressed her support for the demand of compensation under the Land Acquisition Act -2013.
The CPI(M) had already taken up padayatra from Nyamatabad to Sangareddy – a distance of about 120 kilometres. One more agitation is at a budding stage in Medak constituency being represented by Deputy Speaker M. Padma Devender Reddy. The proposed increase in the height of Ghanapur project has become a cause for concern to farmers. Former legislator from Congress, P. Sashidhar Reddy, has been taking the lead role in extending support to the agitation by farmers who are demanding compensation under the Land Acquisition Act.
“We will not allow the officials to acquire our land unless the right compensation is paid,” said the agitators while participating in a protest at Medak recently.
