YSRCP Legal Cell President Manohar Reddy alleged forced land acquisition in Undavalli, accusing the government of destroying crops and ignoring pending High Court proceedings.
Tadepalli: YSR Congress Party Legal Cell President Manohar Reddy on Saturday alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Government had resorted to forced land acquisition in Undavalli, claiming that the exercise had severely affected the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.
Addressing a press conference at the party's central office in Tadepalli, Manohar Reddy alleged that the government deployed a large police force and bulldozers to take possession of agricultural lands while destroying standing crops, including banana plantations.
He said farmers from Undavalli, Penumaka and Nidamarru had consistently opposed the acquisition since 2014, maintaining that their lands were fertile three-crop fields that should be protected. Despite legal objections raised by the landowners, he alleged that the government proceeded with road works without addressing their concerns.
Questioning the timing of the action, Manohar Reddy said a writ petition challenging the land acquisition was still pending before the High Court. He alleged that the government deliberately carried out the exercise over the weekend to prevent farmers from obtaining immediate legal relief and questioned whether the move amounted to contempt of court.
The YSRCP leader further alleged that the authorities neither supplied award copies nor adequately explained compensation details to the affected farmers before initiating the acquisition process. He also claimed that compensation cheques were prepared without collecting the farmers' bank account details.
Raising concerns over compensation, Manohar Reddy alleged that while land in the vicinity had reportedly been purchased for around Rs. 8 crore per acre by TDP leaders and their associates, affected farmers were being offered only about Rs. 2.60 crore per acre under the acquisition process.
Demanding immediate intervention, he urged the government to halt all land acquisition activities in Undavalli until the High Court delivered its final verdict. He also sought action against officials allegedly responsible for destroying standing crops and called on the government to disclose details of land purchases made by TDP leaders in the Undavalli and Penumaka areas.
Manohar Reddy further alleged that the acquired land could eventually be handed over for private commercial projects under the proposed riverfront development.
