Kakinada: The agitation by farmers opposing the acquisition of their fertile lands for the setting up of the ONGC refinery project and the Special Economic Zone in the vicinity of the port took another turn on Wednesday with the agricultural workers entering the fray and resisting the Government's move.

Farm workers under the aegis of the district committee of the Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Coolie Sangham raised their voice against the acquisition of lands that affects the future of over 60,000 of their families spread over 40 villages. They staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here and presented a memorandum to the District Revenue Officer expressing their strong opposition to the acquisition of 10,000 acres of lands in the surrounding villages.

`Detrimental move'

A delegation headed by the CPI (ML) Liberation district committee member Ch Nageswara Rao told the DRO that the small and marginal farmers would be badly hit by the acquisition of their lands. He requested the district administration to locate the refinery and SEZ at another place where non-agricultural lands are available in plenty along the coast. Later, at the public meeting held with B Viplav Kumar, district secretary of the Vyavasaya Coolie Sangham, it was resolved to fight the Government's plan. Several speakers, including Kakara Rathna Kumari, district vice president Godugu Satyanarayana, Radical youth association State leader Katuri Apparao, K. Nagaraju and T Chinni Raju , Sangham leaders, warned of launching a districtwide agitation if the Government fails to rescind its orders. .

TDP warning

Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee Chairman and former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu also opposed the move to shift the refinery and SEZ to Kona area in Thondangi Mandal. He told newsmen at Tuni the other day that it was not desirable to displace the ryots and agricultural labourers for launching industries. He warned that the Telugu Desam would be forced to launch a Statewide stir lending its support to the ryots and fishermen.

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