Vijayawada: CPM to take' over disputed fish tanks

VIJAYAWADA: Tension prevailed at Ilaparru of Nandivada mandal of Krishna district after CPM leaders, including party state-secretary P. Madhu announced that they will be taking over disputed fish tanks. The situation got even more tense with the police imposing Section 144. Mr Madhu, along with other CPM leaders proceeded to reach Ilaparru, but they were stopped at Nagavarappadu.

Around 100 people were arrested and shifted to various police stations. Dalit farmers of Ilaparru have been fighting for the lands that are assigned to their forefathers during 1921 in British rule. The lands went in possession of others in the 1980s by way of lease or outright sale and fish tanks were dug up in those lands. Now, Dalit farmers are demanding that the lands be returned to them. The farmers have been protesting in front of the Gudivada RDO office from the past 165 days. The dispute over 165 acres of land has been continuing over the years.

A report by the joint collector also said that the land belongs to the protesting farmers. However, a court case over 17 acres is pending and officials are not willing to take action till the verdict comes. CPM state secretariat member Y. Venkateswar Rao said that the government has once again proved through its actions that it is anti-poor. He said the CPM and other Left organisations will intensify their struggle till the Dalits get back their lands. He alleged that the local TD leaders were behind the land grab and officials remained mute spectators.