Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) State secretary roughed up in A.P. village

KHAMMAM: The Left parties’ land struggle sparked off trouble once again in Khammam district as the occupation of a piece of land in Tallampadu village resulted in a violent confrontation between the CPI (M) and Congress supporters.

CPI (M) State secretary B. V. Raghavulu, who led the partymen, incurred the ire of Congress followers who pulled his shirt collar and questioned him for occupying what they called patta lands owned by them.

The Congressmen were, however, outnumbered and thrashed by the CPI (M) workers. One of them fell unconscious, while others took to their heels. The incident paved the way for a fresh flare-up of tensions in the district. Workers of both the parties organised demonstrations on the Suryapet-Khammam road near the village. Similar protests were organised at Khammam affecting the movement of vehicular traffic.

Mr. Raghavulu, who addressed the partymen, emphasised that the CPI (M) would stand by all those who took part in the programme. As he was about to leave, six Congress workers led by one Challa Sydulu approached him asking for immediate removal of the CPI (M) flags pitched in some five acres of land in the village.

The men claimed that the land occupied by the CPI (M) workers was already in possession of the Congress partymen. They were in possession of pattas in support of their ownership. Besides, the landless poor in the Congress party itself had also put up their flags staking claim for the same land before the CPI(M) workers could do so. He assured them that the lands would not be touched if they were genuinely owned by any farmers.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu