CPM demands justice for SEZ evacuees

- Stages a dharna at Collectorate on Monday
- Says farmers are yet to get the jobs promised to them 10 years ago
- Says that rehabilitation colonies are lacking in basic amenities

Visakhapatnam: The district unit of CPM has demanded justice to the villagers who had given their lands to the government for development of a special economic zone in Achyutapuram and got a pittance in return. The activists and villagers staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Monday.

CPM senior leader S Ramesh said the farmers gave away their ands 10 years ago and were now pleading like beggars with the government for jobs which were promised at the time of land acquisition. He said 70 percent of them could not build their houses as the compensation paid to them was as little as Rs 3 lakh per acre.

He said after acquiring the land for a low price, APIIC began selling the industrial plots at the rate of Rs 40 lakh per acre. Around 100 acres are still lying vacant as there were no takers, said Ramesh. Prior to land acquisition, the farmers had led a decent life by growing various crops without depending much on the government, he said and added that the district administration had also failed to provide basic amenities at the rehabilitation colonies. There is no drainage system, street light and medical care. The residents are still depending on private hospitals, he said.