Protests mark CM’s visit to reservoir, pump house

RAJANNA-SIRCILLA : Women in Kandikatukur village of Illanthakunta mandal said they would intensify their agitation for their village to be declared as submerged under Mid Manair Reservoir and they said that they draw inspiration from Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao who fought for TS till achievement. The villagers, especially women, have been protesting on their demand for the last three days. 

Yellavva, an agitating woman said about 1,200 acres land had been scarified for the reservoir. When the reservoir’s bund breached, finance minister Etela Rajender promised the villagers that he would discuss the matter with the CM and get the village announced as a submerged village, but till now there is no progress, she lamented. Gangavva, another woman said till they get justice, their protest would continue. Police deployed massively, demolished the protest tent on the bund and to prevent the agitation, female police were also deployed.  

Learning about the CM’s aerial survey on Friday, the village women staged their protest for five hours. At one stage, police took them into custody and transported to Vallampahad and brought back before setting them free. Finally, after assurance by local leaders on arranging a meeting with irrigation minister T Harish Rao and CM K Chandrashekar Rao within three days, they called off protest. Around 3.57 pm the CM conducted aerial view on Mid Manair Reservoir.

 About 2 minutes he saw the reservoir from helicopter and left for Hyderabad. Meanwhile, mild tension erupted at Medaram village in Peddapali where the CM inspected pump house of KLIS works. 
Fishermen community demanding compensation for losing their source of income, tried to protest in front of the CM but police disbursed them.