Vijayawada: Tension prevailed in Mandadam, Velagapudi and areas near the Secretaariat in the Amaravati capital region on Thursday due to police restrictions in view of the Cabinet meeting on Friday.
The pro-Amaravati farmers wearing masks showing the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued their protests on Thursday, opposing the three-capital proposal. They squatted on the Secretariat road at Mandadam because the police refused to give them permission to install tents. Extra police forces were deployed and barbed wire installed on the main roads leading to the Secretariat and vehicles were checked.
Farmers K. Venkateswarlu, G. Narayana and others tried to install a tent on the main road but the police did not allow them. There were heated arguments between the police and the agitated farmers. The farmers then squatted on the road and warned that they would intensify protests from Friday after the announcement of the Cabinet decision.
The Lawyers JAC boycotted the High Court demanding cancellation of the three-capital proposal. They said that they will continue the boycott on Friday.
AP Congress vice president N. Thulasi Reddy, CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna and other leaders visited Mandadam, Krishanyapalem, Yerrabalem and Penumaka villages of Amaravati and announced their support to agitating farmers.
Mr Thulasi Reddy termed proposal as a ‘Tughluq act’ as it would force AP into more financial difficulties. He said that Secretariat and other government buildings construction was completed 70 to 90 per cent hence these structures can be used for administration of the government without constructing new buildings at Visakhapatnam.
