Bayyaram Bachao march flagged off

Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC)-sponsored Bayyaram iron ore protection rally took off from the city on Monday morning. The rally was flagged off by the TJAC convener Prof M Kodandaram from its office at the New MLA Quarters. The rally was intended to prevent supply of iron ore from Bayyaram to the steel mill at Visakhapatnam.

Speaking on the occasion the rally titled 'Inupa Khanija Parirakshana Yatra', Kodandaram said the agitation would be intensified in a phased manner if the government failed to cancel the GO issued allowing transportation of iron ore from Bayyaram mines.

He alleged that the GO was against the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India for the tribal communities living in the region. The iron ore transportation to Visakhapatnam would not only lead to regional imbalances but also hamper the development of the Telangana region.

Thousands of jobs could be created for the people of Telangana if steel plant was set up close to Bayyaram instead of shifting the ore elsewhere. Yet, the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was adamant saying he would not cancel the GO, which reflected his autocratic nature, Kodandaram said the agitation would be taken to every nook and corner of Telangana if the GO was not withdrawn.

BJP leader Ch Vidyasagar Rao alleged that the government remained indifferent to the rights of tribal communities, despite constitutional and legal safeguards enjoyed by them. Seeking intervention of the Governor on Bayyaram issue, Vidyasagar Rao said the he was empowered strike down the GO as per Schedule V of the Indian Constitution.

TRS leader Dr Shravan alleged that the Chief Minister was acting in a biased manner. The government did not allow transportation of iron ore from Obulapuram mines though Vizag steel plant requested for the same years ago, he alleged. He said his party would extend full support to TJAC agitation on the issue. Government staff associations JAC president Srinivas Goud said ferrying of iron ore from Bayyaram would be opposed tooth and nail. The rally which would reach Bayyaram on Tuesday evening would culminate in a public meeting.