Opposition demands probe into firing on Srikakulam Thermal Power Project protestors

SRIKAKULAM - Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam District have demanded a judicial probe into an incident of police firing on protestors, who refused to vacate their lands for a proposed 2,000 MW Srikakulam Thermal Power Project.

The opposition Telugu Desam, Praja Rajyam, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) demanded a judicial probe into the incident of police firing, in which two fishermen were killed and over a 100 people injured.

“All the men from the village went for a meeting at the power office. There the policemen fired at them,” said Subbamh, a villager.

The opposition also called for the suspension of police officials and cancellation of license for the 2,000 MW thermal power project.

Apart from the locals of over 30 villages, a forum of environmentalists, academicians and other experts opposed the Srikakulam Power Project, saying it could create a critical imbalance in the ecologically sensitive zone.

The demonstrators staged a peaceful sit-in protest on Wednesday and chanted anti-government slogans.

The deployment of security personnel to quell the crowds, however, led to a violent backlash by the people.

“For thermal power plant, they don’t have any permission. The Supreme Court also did not give its judgment over the issue, the judgment was reserved for the environmental system,” said K. Narayana, State Secretary, Communist Party of India.

“So without giving any permission how the state government gave permission to this Nagarjuna Construction Company to construct the project,” he added. (ANI)