LPS protest: Farmers protest gains steam
The farmers conducted meetings to discuss action against LPS
Guntur: Even though the state government is going to extend the land collection process under the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) for another seven days to complete the land acquisition target for the new capital, the protests against the takeover of fertile lands for the new capital is gaining momentum.
Minister for agriculture P. Pulla Rao announced at Guntur on Thursday night that the last date for submitting land for the new capital under LPS has been extended to February 21 from February 14. Senior Congress leader Undavalli Arun Kumar and other leaders have visited Penumaka, Rayapudi and Jareebu villages and a delegation of YSRC is also visiting the capital region villages on Friday. The farmers conducted meetings to discuss action against LPS.
Already farmers of Kuragallu village have warned about mass suicides if the CRDA forcibly acquires fertile lands. Other anti-LPS villages are also continuing protests creating fear among CRDA and revenue officials who visit villages to acquire lands. Earlier, the farmers of Venkatapalem started relay hunger strikes on February 10 but TD leaders stopped it by assuring them that they will hold a meeting with Chief Minister Naidu to settle the Jareebu land issues.
The YSRC MLA of Mangalagiri, A. Ramakri-shna Reddy said that farmers have no confidence in the TD government about implementation of LPS due to the failure of the agriculture loan waiver. He said that as the new capital plan has not yet been prepared and would be readied by June the government should allow cultivation in the Rabi season.
Objecting to the order of CRDA commissioner N. Srikanth stopping cultivation in capital region villages, he said the farmers will revolt against switching of fertile lands in villages and this is spreading to all capital villages. Mr Reddy demanded that the government should allow anti and pro-LPS farmers to continue Rabi cultivation. Rajadhani Rythula Samanyava committee leader M. Harindranath said that farmers are frightened about the norms of CRDA and these farmers have raised 63 objections under LPS.