Vijayawada: Protests continued in Machilipatanam on Monday opposing the land acquisition for the Sports Complex at Kummari Gudem. Residents of Kummari Gudem took out a rally in the city opposing the construction of the Sports Complex near their area. Locals, who opposed the land survey earlier staged a protest along with the representatives of Kummari Salivahana Welfare Association at the Krishna district collector’s office and demanded the government to withdraw its decision.
The residents of Kummari Gudem opposed the government’s decision of constructing indoor and outdoor stadia in 22 acres, on which their houses, brick and pot kilns stand. More than 2,000 people of the locality gathered at the collector’s office and raised their voice against the decision of government which created mild tension for a while. A. Rama Subbiah, a native of Kummari Gudem, alleged that government was intentionally trying to destroy their habitation in the name of Sports Complex. He demanded the government to construct it at some other place.
Leaders of various political parties too expressed solidarity with the protesters. Former minister K. Partha Sarathy said the government is intentionally targeting the weaker sections and destroying their livelihood. He alleged that government had earlier planned to construct a Stadium Complex in 9 acres adjacent to the ZP office but withdrew the decision due political pressure.
Former legislator Perni Venkata Ramayya (Nani) demanded the government to withdraw its decision as it would destroy the livelihood of the backward communities. Nani assured the natives that the YSRC will support the locals in their fight against the Sports Complex.
