The tension is palpable in Sompeta, a day after 2 persons were killed due to
police firing at Sompeta in Srikakulam district.
In spite of an undeclared curfew in place in about a dozen villages, with policemen preventing the formation of groups in villages, some villagers managed to attack the residences of those who were in favour of the proposed thermal plant.
According to unconfirmed reports, the villagers on Thursday pelted stones at the residences of a Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency Member and a former MLA. The reports also say that the villagers managed to damage some furniture. It is believed that these leaders are in favour of the proposed thermal power plant.
For most parts, an undeclared curfew is in place, with only the policemen on duty visible on the roads and village squares.
The policemen, perhaps expecting trouble from the angry villagers, are not allowing them to step out of their homes.
This is despite the fact that Chief Minister K Rosaiah had on Wednesday appealed for restraint from both sides and told policemen to try and calm down the angry villagers.
Rosaiah also ordered a team of ministers to visit Sompeta and try to convince the people that "nothing would be done against their overall interests".
He also directed the ministers to calm the frayed tempers of the people and reassure them that all their problems "would be solved in an amicable manner".
The violence started after the villagers protested against the laying of a foundation stone for a thermal power plant to be built by the Nagarjuna Construction Company, at a cost of Rs. 1,200 crore.
The villagers say that the proposed power plant would deprive them of livelihood and also force them to leave their homeland.
The private security guards employed by the NCC, had tried to quell the protestors by asking them to leave the company land. This prompted an argument between them and the protestors, who then damaged some furniture. The police resorted to lathi-charging the villagers, which in turn provoked them to pelt stones at the police.
It was then that the police opened fire, killing 2 protestors. Around 150 persons, including policemen, were injured during the violence.
Meanwhile, hundreds of armed policemen are standing guard in the villages, adding to the tension.
Farmers and fishermen of the region have been protesting against the project as it is coming up on 1,890 acres on a wetland and is close to the sea coast. They fear the project will destroy the ecology and will take away their livelihood.
Courtesy: INN News