Vamsadhara project: Tension ensues after lathi-charge

Visakhapatnam: Tension prevailed at Tulagam, Padali, Garlapadu and Duggupuram areas under Hiramandalam mandal in Srikakulam district on Wednesday when the police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse agitators gathered to obstruct the works of Vamsadhara reservoir project and pelted stones on the police and workers. Despite instructions of officials of the revenue and irrigation department, some displaced farmers had sown paddy in the lands of the department at Padali and Duggupuram areas.

On Wednesday, engineers, supervisors and workers of the construction company, with the support of police force, went there with a JCB excavator for land levelling works. Opposing the project, the farmers tried to attack the JCB operator and damage the equipment, claiming that the land belonged to them and government had not paid them enough compensation.

Some agitators pelted stones and threw chilli power on the workers, irrigation department officials and the police.  As the situation turned tense, the police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the agitators. Sources said five police personnel and some agitators suffered injuries in the clash. The displaced farmers said the government ignored their grievances and kickstarted works in spite of strong resistance from the displaced.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, superintendent of police (Srikakulam) Dr C.M. Thrivikrama Varma said the police resorted to mild lathi-charge on the agitators to brought normalcy at the area. Now the situation was under control and the works for the Vamsadhara irrigation project have resumed. Though the lands belonged to the Irrigation department, the farmers tried to obstruct the works, he added. The police have registered cases against 35 people in connection with the attack on the police and workers.