Date:08/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/08/stories/2007090853660300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

SEZ: farmers allege coercion

Correspondent

Kakinada: Ryots and villagers getting displaced under SEZ, have staged dharna in front of the police station at U.Kothapalli on Friday expressing their resentment over the alleged interference and resorting to coercive measures by the district revenue and police officials for acquisition of lands in violation of the guidelines.

The district unit of the BJP headed by K.Sarvarayudu ,Y. Malakondaiah ,. Rajendra and BSP State vice president Chollangi Venugopal have joined the stir extending their support. The ryots from several villages in U.Kothapalli Mandal who squatted patiently in front of the police station till evening raised slogans against forcible acquisition of their lands and lodged individual complaints with the police station alleging that they were subjected to coercion and the district administration has violated the human rights by depriving them the benefits of welfare schemes.

The agitating farmers wanted the government to initiate action against the SP and the Collector for violation of rules and human rights.