Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Visakhapatnam, January 9, 2008: Farmers of five villages in Rambilli mandal in Visakhapatnam district, in danger of losing their lands for the SEZ in the second phase of land acquisition, have taken a decision not to part with the lands and to resist the move of the Government.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Opposition parties on the issue at Appannapalem village in Rambilli mandal on Wednesday.

The State Government has acquired 9,200 acres for the Atchyuthapuram SEZ in the past and started the process again for acquiring 2,190 acres more as part of the second phase in Rambilli, Appannapalem, Lalam Koduru, Z. Chinguru and Seetapalem. This triggered strong protests and resistance from the farmers.

Officials have reportedly threatened them recently to take over the lands by depositing the compensation amount in the banks, even if they are not willing. The Government has announced an amount of Rs 2.90 lakh per acre as compensation.

At the meeting on Wednesday, the farmers were highly critical of the present MLA, the district Minister, Mr. K. Ramakrishna, and other people’s representatives of the ruling party and officials for trying to impose the Government’s decision on them either by appeasement or through threats.

Mr Kasireddy Venku Naidu of Krishnapuram wanted the farmers not to bother about compensation amount but to protect their lands. “We can stay here only if we stick to our resolve of not parting with the land. If not, we can’t survive at any other place.”

The Telugu Desam leader, Mr B. Raviraju, criticised the Congress for adopting a divide-and-rule policy by issuing cheques to some farmers.

Mr. P. Kishore Babu of Rambilli said the HPCL could be allotted land acquired in the first phase as huge extent of land was available there. If the HPCL insisted on the land here, the people of five villages should be allotted land equivalent of the land lost by them, in the area acquired for the first phase.

A native of Rambilli and doctor by profession Dr. G. Satyanarayana said the land acquisition would have disastrous effects on a farmer’s family. The farmer would spend the few lakhs of compensation paid for his small extent of land on marriages and clearing loans and he would have no other option but to work as a labourer in a distant place away from his family.

People living in the villages acquired for the steel plant were proud of their profession as long as they were tilling their lands but were now forced to work as servants in the steel plant township, he remarked. He pleaded with the Government not to reduce farmers into mere servants.

Source: The Hindu