The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Refinery issue: farmers get ready for showdown

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Friday, Dec 21, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Refinery issue: farmers get ready for showdown

Santosh Patnaik

Confusing stance of political parties a cause for worry

Congress does a volte-face on mining in Jerrila block
Divide and rule police of officials bemoaned

VISAKHAPATNAM: Farmers having pattas and those in possession of land for several decades without any title deed are getting ready for a showdown and submit affidavits at a sitting convened at Rachapalli panchayat office on Saturday over land acquisition notices served on some of them as the authorities are trying to weaken their agitation through various means.

‘Horse-trading’

Fissures have developed in the agitation against bauxite refinery proposed by RAK in Makavarapalem mandal, with Congress leaders, who had opposed mining in Jerrila block and establishment of refinery near Ramannapalem, making a volte-face, apparently due to pressure from the party higher-ups. Some leaders of the opposition parties also broached the issue of higher compensation for land acquisition, leading to the allegation by the locals that “leaders are being sold out to indulge in horse-trading.”

Fear grips Chinnarajipalem, Yerakanapalem, Rachapalli, Venkatapuram, Ramannapalem and eight other villages in Makavarapalem mandal where the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has served land acquisition notices on farmers. Revenue officials who visited their areas told them point blank that either they have to surrender voluntarily or they will acquire the land and deposit the compensation amount in the court as per rules.

“They are playing with our lives. Our leaders are also confusing us even as the officials are resorting to divide and rule policy,” bemoaned Y. Appala Naidu, a farmer and husband of Rajeswari, sarpanch of Ramannapalem.

Farmers who are in possession of 1,680 acres in survey number 737 without any patta are in belligerent mood. “What will happen to us?” asks Chukka Yerru Naidu, who is cultivating cashew in four acres at Chinna Rachapalli without any patta.

Agriculture workers are also in a state of shock about their future.

“I eke out a living by doing carpentry work. What will happen to me if the refinery comes?” wonders Kummoji Somaraju, 60, of Rammannapalem.

Higher compensation

The government has sent feelers to award a compensation of Rs. 2.20 lakhs per acre with a promise to enhance it further during negotiations at a meeting convened by Minister for Commercial Taxes Konathala Ramakrishna at Kasimkota last week.

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