Andhra Pradesh

Tension as trees are felled on non-SEZ land

Kakinada: Tension prevailed at Srirampuram in U. Kothapalli mandal on Saturday when officials of Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), who went to examine the lands acquired for development of KSEZ, were confronted by the villagers when they got trees on a small piece of non-SEZ land felled.

On receiving information, land owner N. Rambabu reached the spot and vent his ire at the officials for cutting down trees and questioned with what authority they had ventured into his land, which was not acquired for KSEZ. He demanded compensation for the loss incurred by him.

The irate villagers warned the officials against taking up any works on their lands as they had not given them for the KSEZ and reiterated their opposition to the project itself stating that it was detrimental to their livelihood.

While KSEZ officials were engaged in a heated conversation with the villagers, the police arrived there and pacified the agitators. They had a tough time pacifying the people who warned of reviving the agitation against KSEZ.

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