Amid vociferous protests, local communities, farmers, civil rights societies’ representatives and Human Rights Forum (HRF) on Saturday boycotted the public hearing on draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) held at Krishna University campus here.
The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority conducted the public hearing for finalising the draft CZMP.
Led by HRF State secretary V.S. Krishna and MLC B. Arjunudu, the local communities and other people from various sections demanded cancellation of the public hearing, citing the absence of physical survey and lack of consultation in preparing the draft.
Mr. Arjunudu left the venue, in protest.
Meanwhile, Law Minister K. Ravindra arrived at the venue and objected to non-local people speaking at the hearing, which led to a heated argument between the two sides.
Irate local communities led by the left parties and the HRF made a vain bid to explain to Mr. Ravindra how the APCZMA had failed to communicate about the hearing to all the stakeholders.
Ravindra chairs event
Mr. Ravindra then occupied a chair of the panel for the public hearing and conducted the proceedings.
Accompanied by panel members Bandar Revenue Divisional Officer P. Udaya Bhaskar and AP Pollution Control Board Executive Engineer M. Narayana, Mr. Ravindra said non-locals should not complain about the way the hearing was being conducted.
On the other hand, Mr. Krishna said, “The executive summary of the draft CZMP plan has been circulated in English, which a majority of the local communities may not understand. The purpose of the hearing is defeated unless the draft is prepared in consultation with the local communities.”
However, at least 10 individuals, including representatives of the Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority, Navayuga company, TDP leaders and Machilipatnam former MLA Perni Nani, expressed their opinions on the draft CZMP.
About a hundred local people turned up for the hearing representing the coastal villages in the Assembly constituencies of Machilipatnam, Pedana and Avanigadda and boycotted the meet, demanding a fresh hearing.