GUNTUR: The Waterman of India and Ramon Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh and his team faced protests from pro-LPS farmers of the Amaravati Capital Region during his visit to the Krishna riverfront villages of Amaravati on Friday. He and the other social activists viewed the “stream of sorrow” Kondaveeti Vagu modernization works and inquired about the stream during the Krishna River conservation tour.
The Telugu Desam activists and supporters from Venkatapalem, Tullur, Krishnayapalem, Mandadam, Rayapudi, Nelapadu and other areas rushed to spot and tried to forcibly stop Rajendra Singh and his team and they pelted stones on their vehicles. The pro TD farmers vehemently alleged that anti-LPS farmers were trying to stop the development of the new capital Amaravati which would decrease their land value due to the stopping of the development activity.
They claimed that they had willfully offered their farmlands for the construction of a world class new capital Amaravati and there was no objection from the government. They lamented that they had put high hopes on the development of their villages as part of new capital but the frequent visits of environmentalists, farmers’ leaders and NGOs halted the Amaravati process and they shouted "go back" slogans at them.
The anti LPS farmers of Penumaka, Undavalli and the adjacent areas objected to the protests of the TD activists and supporters. They claimed that Rajendra Singh and his team were visiting the riverfront villages under the Krishna River conservation tour. Mr Rajendra Singh said that he was not against the establishment of the new capital Amaravati and was visiting the villages to know the facts under the Krishna River conservation tour. He said that concrete constructions on the river bed were a big threat to the Krishna River.
The team also came to Nidamarru to view the Kondaveeti Vagu stream. But TD activists, supporters and pro-LPS farmers strongly objected to the tour and tore the banners and flexis, demanding the stoppage of the tour. The anti-LPS farmers led by Anumolu Gandhi objected to the protests. The police intervened and the tour resumed.
Similarly the pro-LPS farmers met Rajendra Singh and his team at Rayapudi and Tullur and sought support for the new capital Amaravati. Mr Rajender Singh said that the Yamua River was polluted by Delhi and New Delhi and there was threat to Krishna River due to Amaravati. Hence he was conducting the Krishna River conservation tour and would give his recommendations to the government.
Mr Singh accompanied by Professor Vikram Soni, irrigation expert B Satya, farmers’ leader Anumolu Gandhi and others went to old Amaravati as part of the Krishna River conservation tour.
