The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Lands in Ramoji Film City, Sanghi ‘occupied’

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Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Lands in Ramoji Film City, Sanghi ‘occupied’

HYDERABAD: Reiterating their intention to continue the land struggle till the Andhra Pradesh Government conceded the demands, the CPI (M) and the CPI on Saturday announced that lands “illegally occupied by rich and influential” will not be spared.

In tune with the call given earlier, activists of the two parties ‘occupied’ assigned lands allegedly owned by Ramoji Film City (RFC) and Sanghi Group of Industries on the city outskirts. Deployment of a large number of policemen notwithstanding, the activists gate-crashed into a 14.3-acre piece of land adjoining the Film City in Naganpalli village and announced that it would be occupied till the Government distributed it among the ‘genuine’ poor.

Chased away

Even as the employees of the RFC looked on, the activists led by CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu, CPI State secretary K. Narayana and CPI MP Aziz Pasha hoisted their party flags. A group of youth, claiming to be the original assignees, tried to stop the occupation, but was chased away.

Mr. Raghavulu reacted sharply to their claim and alleged that the youth were provoked by the RFC management.

As the agitators proceeded towards lands allegedly owned by the Sanghi Industries, the police tried to ‘arrest’ them, but in vain. The leaders argued that they were arrested without any provocation.

Drama

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Raghavulu and Dr. Narayana criticised the Government for enacting a “drama” in the name of high-level committee to be headed by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, as it would not be of any use. “What suggestions can the panel headed by the Chief Minister, who is the head of the State, give to the Government?” Mr. Raghavulu wondered.

Dr. Narayana said though the Left parties had submitted representations about excess lands held by the rich, no action was initiated to resume them and punish those illegally possessing assignment.

He termed as ‘unfortunate’ the petition filed in the court seeking de-recognition of the Left parties and said the struggle would, however, continue. The police arrested the Left parties’ leaders, along with the activists, and released them later on bail.

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