Kakinada: Tribal people of Kondamodalu, Tadivada, Mettagudem, Peddagudem, Kokkeragudem, Kothagudem, Kathanapalli, Somarlapadu, Nadipudi and Teliperu in Kondamodalu panchayat are continuing their agitation for allotment of land against the land being lost by them due to construction of Polavaram project.
They are yet to vacate their villages, which are already under water following the recent floods. People are instead staying on nearby hillocks. Though officials have promised them land for land, tribal people have made it clear that they would vacate their village only after government hands them over new lands in compensation.
Tribals have also reportedly approached the AP High Court seeking justice after their villages went under water.
Meanwhile, deputy collector for land acquisition, ITDA project officer and Devipatnam tahsildar have filed an affidavit in court that they would give pattas for 426 acres as compensation at Neladonelapadu in Gangavaram mandal. But the same has not yet happened.
"We have appealed to authorities several times for land to land compensation. But we have not received any response yet," said Kondamodalu village sarpanch V. Vijaya.
Sources say the issue is embroiled in problems as lands cultivated by tribal people are also being claimed by non-tribals. If land is given in compensation to tribals, government will have to compensate non-tribal claimants too. Moreover, such encroachments are there in almost all mandals in the agency area.
