Tension as 5 aqua park protesters arrested

Fast-unto-death by 2 agitators enters 4th day today

Bhimavaram: Tension escalated in three villages of Jonnalagaruvu, Kamsali Bethapudi and Tundurru in Bhimavaram mandal when police arrested five members of struggle committee against the construction of Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park at Jonnalagaruvu village in West Godavari district on Sunday. 

The protesters in huge number gathered at the water tank where two agitators who had climbed the tank and staging a fast-unto –death for three days.  

The fasting duo warned the police of leaping from the top of the tank, if their demand to stop construction of the aqua park was not conceded.

The police already imposed Section 144 and police Act 30 in these villages. In order to avoid untoward incidents, heavy police forces have been deployed in all the three villages.

The two fasting protesters —Areti Vasu and Mucharla Trimurthulu-- had climbed the tank on Friday. They already threatened the police to jump from the tank if they attempt to foil their fast.
   
Meanwhile, agitators from Jonnalagaruvu and adjoining villages stormed the tank to extend their solidarity to the fasting duo.

The police arranged nets around the tank in a bid to save the lives of the fasting agitators, in case of their leaping from the tank terrace.

However, the protesters gathered at the tank alleged that the nets were of inferior quality and there was no possibility of survival if the fasting duo jumps from the tank in case of the police attempting to arrest them. 

They destroyed the nets and raised slogans against the government for not conceding to their demand. They informed the media that they had been opposing the aqua food park for four years and took up various agitations.

The latest fast-unto-death by the two agitators was to build pressure on the government to stop the construction. They vowed to sacrifice their lives until the government acts to safeguard the interests of villagers.
   
As the situation turned tense, DSP P Prabhakar Babu invited the agitators for consultations. The meeting with the police officials ended in disagreement and subsequently the police arrested five leaders.

Meanwhile, the CPM termed the arrests as illegal and a shameful act by the TDP government “whose collapse will be imminent.” The party activists and leaders staged a dharna in Akiveedu on Sunday.