Residents up in arms as CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to lay stone for pharma unit in Kona forest

Kakinada: The residents of Kona area are gearing up to launch an agitation against the proposed pharma unit in Kona forest in the Thondagi mandal of East Godavari district. The pharma unit will be established by Divi's Laboratories in 500 acres in the seashore area of the Kona forest.

According to Divi's Laboratories officials, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay stone for the unit on December 7. The Divi's officials are making arrangements accordingly.

The people who are living in a peaceful atmosphere and good environment are now expressing their anxiety and anger over the attitude of the government in allowing the pharma unit. The previous Telugu Desam government had given clearance to the Divi's Laboratories to establish a pharma unit in the area.

They had agitated against the TD government and also the establishment of the pharma unit. Later, the farmers approached the High Court and got stay order. Then the Divi's stopped its activities. During those days, the then Opposition leader and present Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the area and told that the pharma units would not be established or allowed in the agriculture fields and such units should be given permissions only in Pharma Zones. He said that he would abolish the permission of the pharma unit, if he assumes power.

AP Rythu Sangham vice-president P Narasimha Rao told 'The Hans India' that while TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu cheated KSEZ farmers, now Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy wants to exploit the people of Kona area. "We would not allow the Divi's lab under any circumstances. Farmers and agriculture workers and other labourers will incur great losses and their environment will be spoiled, if the unit is established. Rythu Sangham and the CPM would give support to the people," P Narasimha Rao said.

He declared that under the aegis of Divi's Vyatireka Porata Samiti, they would organise strikes, peaceful protest and agitations for not establishing the Divi's Laboratories in Thondangi mandal.

One of the farmers in Kona area K Dandubabu said that the Divi's is ruining their peaceful life and it will damage the prospects of living of the people. He said that the people of more than 30 villages are living in the area peacefully by doing their works like aqua, fishing, dairy, rearing sheep and others.