Tension prevails over land dispute

Vijayawada: Yet another land dispute belonging to the famous SRR and CVR College came to light while the inquiry is going on against MLA Bonda Umamaheshwara Rao’s wife and his followers for their alleged involvement in illegal land purchase.

Tension prevailed for some time here on Tuesday when the land dispute has taken a new turn with the old students of the college directly entering the scene by stopping and damaging constructions undertaken by private persons describing them as illegal and against the law.

According to the Old Students Association, 6.67 acres of the premium land worth Rs 200 crore at Gulabithota in the city beside BRTS Road originally belongs to SRR and CVR College. But the lease holder is claiming ownership illegally and beginning constructions, the Old Boys Association said and alleged that some members of ruling party were behind the issue.

Old Students Association members said that the college was established in 1937 under private management in the name of Nuzvid zamindar Sri Raja Rangayyappa Rao (SRR). Later, Chunduri Venkata Reddy (CVR) also joined the management giving donations.

Raja donated seven acres land in the survey No 39 and survey No 40. The government took over the college in 1958 and in the process, the college management had also transferred its movable and immovable properties to the government in 1966. But one P Narasimha Rao started cultivation in the land taking lease for agriculture purpose.

However, the Old Students Association also submitted proofs of the college management that it had issued notices to the tenant to vacate the land after presenting pucca documents of 1960.

On the other hand, the lease holder claimed ownership rights by producing some documents and submitted at various legal forums. Actually, the issue has been a civil dispute between tenants and college management. But some of them have already constructed houses in the site. Similarly, the construction of a marriage function hall is also undertaken during the past few days.

In this backdrop, the Old Boys Association led by CPI city secretary Donepudi Shankar reached the spot. They damaged some part of the constructions.

Former deputy mayor Cherukuri Krishna Kumar, TDP leader Katragadda Babu, CPM city leader Donepudi Kasinath, Krishna district Olympic Association secretary KP Rao, other members Lanka Janaiah, Mahaboob Alam, R Srinivas, All India Youth Federation (AIYF) city president MD Moinuddin, secretary B Prabhakar were present.

CPI secretary Shankar speaking to The Hans India said that some members belonging to ruling party were trying to grab the land. He demanded the government protect the land belonging to historical educational institution. He wondered as to how the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation gave permission for constructions. Tension prevailed for some time after the police entered the spot.

Assistant commissioner of police Satyanandam asked the agitators to leave the place stating that they would safeguard the interest of the college. After the police convinced them, the agitating members left the place. Notably, the tenants did not react on this issue.