Vijayawada: The government’s decision to go for land pooling in Tullur and Mangalagiri mandals has reached a boiling point and villagers are planning an action plan to resist the government’s move. The villagers who are likely to lose their land are spending sleepless nights and are ready to oppose the ministers when they visit the villages in connection with land pooling.
Blaming the unilateral decision of the government a villager, Mr Anumolu Gandhi of Lingayapalem village of Tullur mandal asked, “What is the government going to do with 30,000 acres? Let the government come out with a white paper on utilisation of this land.”
He said the government's unilateral decision on land pooling will lead to an anti-government wave. Another farmer K. Satishchandra of Tallayapalem village said that people in all the 17 villages are in a state of shock at the government’s decision.
He said the government has been taking decisions all by itself without organising gram sabhas. The government’s action will definitely destroy the livelihood of thousands who come here in search of livelihood. He said the farmers are cultivating 42 varieties of crops in the region and supplying most of the vegetables to Vijayawada city.
Mr K. Giridhar of Mandadam village said the government would face the wrath of farmers in two days. He said the ministers are threatening the villagers to accept land pooling. But farmers are not ready to give their land for building the capital. He said they are ready to go to any extent to protect their livelihood.
Land pooling became a hot topic in all the 17 villages and villagers preferred to distance themselves from celebrations as they are in a state of confusion about the government’s decision. All the villagers are worried about their lands and livelihood in case the government forcibly takes away their land.
Meanwhile Tullur Farmers plan to approach court soon
The farmers of Tullur mandal has decided to approach the court against the land pooling move. Around 5,000 farmers have come together and have signed a petition to be filed in court.
Landowner and rights activist Mallela Seshagiri Rao said, “We have contacted SC advocate Rajendra Sachar. He expressed solidarity with us, and we are going to take up the legal battle against land pooling.”
Mr Rao said that farmers are angry with the move as the government is taking over land and giving only a pittance to the farmers.
“All the 17 villages are against this. In future they are likely to bring in more villages. So this will be a disaster. Flooding is another serious problem in this area. The capital will be flooded by Kondavaeeti vagu,” he added.
