At least 2 persons were reported dead and 2 others injured when police opened fire at protestors trying to stop the foundation-laying ceremony of the 2,000 MW project of the Nagarjuna Construction Company at Sompeta in Srikakulam on Wednesday.
According to reports, the protestors resorted to violence and pelted stones at the policemen stationed. The protestors also set some police vehicles on fire.
Trouble began when the company's management refused to listen to the protestors and the security personal tried to push the farmers from the site of the project.
The protestors showed their resentment and damaged the furniture at the site. This was reportedly followed by a scuffle between the protestors and the company's security personnel, leading to the violence breaking out.
The police stepped into the scene and lathi-charged the protestors, but the violence continued unabated. They then opened fire with rubber bullets, but the stone pelting continued.
One police inspector and 4 constables were reported to be injured due to the stone-pelting. 5 media personnel also suffered minor injuries.
The police responded by firing at the unruly mob, resulting in the fatalities.
The protests began after the local fishermen community had made known its opposition to the project, claiming that it would be hazardous for the future of the community.
They also claim that they have been asked to shift from the land they had been living on since generations.
The fishermen say that the project would create an ecological imbalance and lead to the local economy crashing.
The state Industrial Infrastructure Corporation had allotted around 975 acres of land for the project to the Nagarjuna Construction Company. The company had purchased over 500 acres of land from the local farmers for the project.
Courtesy: INN News
filed in:Industry & Business, Nagarjuna Construction Company, Sompeta Violence