PERFECT LANDING: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu interacting with villagers at Nadergul, near Hyderabad, on Monday. - Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday led a team of party MLAs to the controversial 969.01 acres of Government land allegedly "grabbed" by an influential Congress leader after threatening poor farmers at Nadergul on the outskirts of the city.

After listening to the farmers' woes of how they were dispossessed after promising them pattas, Mr Naidu asked them to cultivate lands again and inform him on telephone number 30699999, if they continue to receive threats. "You need not be scared by such threats. It is Government land and as you were in possession of it for 40 years to 50 years you have a right. We will support you fully."

When they told him that some persons had put up an electric fence and were not allowing even their cattle to graze on their own lands, the TDP leader and the legislators marched towards the camp.

Overenthusiastic party workers pulled down two tents, broke plastic chairs and vegetable trays. They even roughed up a party leader who tried to restrain them.

Inam lands

Mr. Naidu explained that the land formed part of "Inam lands belonging to Shivraj Karan Bahadur. When the Inam Abolition Act came into affect, the lands were taken over by the Government paying the jagirdar compensation of Rs. 35 lakhs in 1959. Ever since, the poor farmers brought the land into cultivation and enjoyed the benefit for 50 years.

"We have all the documents as proof. Can one or two individuals get such large extent of Government land registered on their names without support from higher-ups?

Villagers had heart-rending tales. "I am ruined. They threatened and took over all my five acres saying they will ensure a better compensation as the land was anyhow being taken back by the Government for a project. They are not allowing me to till my own land," wailed Yadamma.

Naidu's demand

Padmamma lost nine acres, Salamma 12 acres, Danamma 10 acres and Bikshamamma five acres. But one of the affected farmers, Narayana, said the lands were occupied forcibly by a "number of outsiders and they could be from Rayalaseema."

Mr. Naidu demanded that the Government should cancel all these registrations and restore the land to the farmers apart from prosecuting those involved. He said the party had received 134 calls on the first day of the setting up of the `anti-land grabbers' cell.

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