Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060910480300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

`Government efforts to reclaim assigned lands farce'

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: The police arrested about 300 peasants, activists and leaders of Communist Party of India (CPI) including MLC Jelli Wilson and district secretary M.V. Ramana near Siddarampuram village of Bukkaraya Samudram mandal in the district on Friday, when they tried to occupy Government land on the campus of sheep farm.

Speaking at a meeting organised on the occasion Mr. Wilson and Mr. Ramana said that the State Government efforts to reclaim assigned and other Government lands under illegal occupation turned out to be a farce so far.

Land distribution scheme taken up by the Government was also a formality as it had given rights (pattas) for about four acres land already being cultivated by the poor.