Nellore: Former minister and TD senior leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy took strong objection to demolition of fish and shrimp ponds of TD leaders under the pretext of encroachment in the government lands at Koduru village, 20 km from Nellore, on Friday.
According to Mr Reddy, farmers of Koduru established fish ponds inside Koduru tank several years back as water is not being stored in the tank after Somasila canal system was established in the region. Welcoming the decision to remove such encroachments, he lamented over applying the rule only for the ponds belonging to TD leaders.
He also found fault with the authorities concerned for not giving 3 days time sought by the victims to harvest the fish. Mr Reddy alleged that forest and police officials also took similar action while demolishing shrimp ponds in 16 acres belonging to fishermen at Venkateswarapalem and Kottapalem in Koduru Panchayat 3 weeks back.
Mr Reddy said that fishermen have leased out the ponds to farmers for `60,000 per annum and now they are deprived of the benefit.
In addition to this the farmers sustained loss to the extent of `90 lakhs because the authorities concerned failed to give time to harvest the shrimp, Mr Chandramohan Reddy alleged.
“YSRC leaders are targeting the aqua ponds of only TD leaders and unfortunately officials also extending their support” he observed.
