Farmers face Naxal threat for parting with land

It is estimated that 62,700 acres of patta land, 22,000 acres of government land and 7,500 acres of forestland would be submerged and 91,000 people would be displaced due to the project. While 32,000 acres of land is required to rehabilitate the farmers, so far, the district machinery has been able to acquire only 6,500 acres. The farmers, though willing, are not coming forward openly to part with their lands due to the threat from Naxalites, who have been opposing the construction of the Polavaram project from the beginning. They have also threatened the farmers with dire consequences if they hand over their lands to the project. Last year, some farmers in Charla mandal and Satyanarayanapuram village gave consent letters to the Sub-Collector to sell their lands.The Naxalites gunned down Datla Anjaneya Varma, who gave his land for the construction of a colony for the displaced persons. After the incident, the villagers of Satyanarayanapuram refused to sell their lands. Then the officials focused their attention on Dummugudem mandal in Bhadrachalam division. Though the villagers in this mandal have come forward to sell their lands, they have urged the officials not to divulge their names.

Following threats, many are staying away from their villages at night.