Kavitha Continues Indefinite Fast For Velugumatla Victims

Telangana Jagruthi leader Kavitha's indefinite hunger strike seeking immediate justice for the victims of house demolitions in Velugumatla in Khammam district entered its second day today, at the Telangana Jagruthi central office in Banjara Hills.

Kavitha began her hunger strike on Monday night in Khammam to stand in solidarity with the displaced families. In the early hours of Tuesday (today), nearly 600 police personnel arrested her and shifted her to Hyderabad. Despite the arrest, she vowed to continue her strike from the Telangana Jagruthi office until the government provided justice to the victims.

Speaking on the occasion, Kavitha said that nearly 750 houses were demolished at midnight using bulldozers, and that it was made worse by the fact that it happened during the crucial period of 10th class and Intermediate examinations. She said that houses belonging to students who had hall tickets were also demolished, raising serious concerns about their future.

Kavitha questioned the government's authority to occupy Bhoodan lands that were donated specifically for the welfare of the poor. She alleged that the sudden demolitions were part of a larger conspiracy to evict poor families after land values in Velugumatla increased, so that the land could be handed over to influential and wealthy individuals.

She alleged that instead of addressing the grievances of the victims, the government chose to suppress the protest by sending a massive police force to arrest the protesters.

She demanded that the government immediately announce the construction of new houses for the victims at the exact location that their homes were demolished in Velugumatla, and said that her strike would continue until the government gave a written assurance to that effect.

Kavitha accused the Congress government of functioning as an anti-poor and anti-people administration. She claimed that the government had been mercilessly demolishing houses of the poor not only in Khammam but across the State.

She reiterated that the only acceptable solution was to rebuild houses for the affected families at the same location in Velugumatla. She warned the government that the struggle would intensify if the plight of the poor ignored.

"Until the government gives a clear assurance and justice is delivered to the Velugumatla victims, my indefinite hunger strike will continue," Kavitha said.