VIJAYAWADA: Members of the nearly 500-odd families who were shifted from the Padmavathi Ghat on the banks of river Krishna to pave the way for construction of a bathing ghat during Pushkarams, launched a three-day relay hunger strike in front of the Sub-Collector's office here on Thursday.

They are demanding immediate steps for construction of the promised pucca houses to them.

Led by the city secretary of the Communist Party of India(Marxist), Ch. Babu Rao, the agitators, including women with their children, resorted to agitation.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rao said slum-dwellers were temporarily shifted to the New Rajarajeswaripet area where each family was given merely 10 square yards to raise a shelter. The families lived in wretched conditions in the absence of basic amenities.

The incessant rains had worsened the situation.

Seeking pucca under the VAMBAY, he said if the authorities failed to act positively, the party intended to intensify the stir.

The CPI(M) city council members P. Sambi Reddy and Vishnuwardhan, spoke.

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