Farmers up in arms against land pooling
VIJAYAWADA: Despite AP government's proposal to increase compensation, farmers in some villages identified for land pooling for the construction of the new capital are intensifying their agitation.
When TDP's Rajahmundry MP M Murali Mohan and Tadikonda MLA T Sravan Kumar visited Lingayapalem village in Guntur district, a section of local farmers staged protests alleging that the government is not giving a patient hearing to their views.
'Ruling party leaders and officials are convening meetings with only those farmers who are TDP sympathisers. TDP leaders are claiming that all farmers are ready to give lands for the capital. But this is completely untrue,' said Anumolu Gandhi, a farmer from Lingayapalem.
Tension prevailed with many farmers, who are opposed to giving away their land, boycotted a meeting with officials. Some stayed and put a series of questions to the visiting TDP leaders .
'Why does the government need so many acres? What livelihood will they provide to agricultural labourer?' they asked.
Trying to pacify the agitated farmers, MLA Sravan Kumar said the government would keep all the promises with regard to land pooling.
While a section of the farmers protested and boycotted, another group, mostly comprising TDP sympathisers, participated in the meeting.
Similarly, the government's efforts to obtain land for the expansion of Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada were also resisted by farmers. Tension prevailed at the meeting held at Buddhavaram village near Gannavaram.
Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi and Gannavaram tahsildar were present at the meeting, held as a part of land acquisition exercise for the expansion of the airport.
Villagers were angered that just a tahasildar has come to discuss the terms and conditions for giving land, instead of higher officials like collector. The farmers of the village demanded more compensation.
News Posted: 14 November, 2014
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