Hyderabad, July 16: The Home Minister asserted that the police used only pistols and revolvers and did not use any long range rifles. Firing was resorted to as a last resort in self-defence after cane-charge and teargas proved futile in controlling the frenzied mob, she added.
Immediately after the Home Minister’s statement, the TDP member, Mr M. Narasimhlu, wondered over the need for posting 3,000 policemen from three districts as if a war has been declared against the poor farmers and fishermen who were agitated over the impending threat to their livelihood from the proposed thermal power plant.
In an emotionally surcharged tone, the TDP member held the Revenue Minister, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao, morally responsible for the “brutal and inhuman” killing and injuring the protesting villagers and demanded his resignation. If the minister fails to do so, he should be sacked from the ministry, the TDP member thundered to loud protests from the Congress members who objected to the tone and tenor of the member.
This triggered verbal clash between the Congress and TDP members even as the Revenue Minister clarified that the thermal power was planned to help tied over the power shortage being faced by the State. The project was intended to only benefit the people and not detrimental to them, he observed and wondered how the government could be responsible for yesterday’s incident.
Amidst noisy scenes, the TDP member reiterated his demand for dismissal of the Revenue Minister and also demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge. He also wanted the government to pay an ex-gratia of Rs10 lakhs to the families of each deceased person.
Describing the incident as very unfortunate and gross violation of human rights, the PRP member, Mr Satyananda Rao, said that the government should seek consent and cooperation of the villagers in planning a project. He also wanted that all those who were arrested in connection with the incident should be released and Rs 10 lakhs should be paid as ex gratia to each of the bereaved families.
While expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Congress member, Mr Batti Vikramarka, lashed out at the Opposition parties for politicizing the issue. While the government’s efforts were to ensure additional power supply to tide over the shortage, the Opposition seemed hell bent to push the State into darkness.
Taking on the TDP members, the Congress member cited various instances of similar incidents during the Telugu Desam regime leading to loud protests from the Opposition benches.
The CPI member, Mr Sambasiva Rao, lashed out at the government for expressing sympathies in the House and resorting to “killings” in Sompeta. Despite assurances from both Central and State leaders that the agricultural lands of the farmers would be untouched and protected, the present Congress regime was acting in violation. Holding the Revenue Minister responsible for the incident, he demanded his resignation besides ordering judicial inquiry by a sitting judge. He also wanted the government to pay a compensation of Rs 20 lakhs to each of the bereaved families and warned that another movement to protect the rights of the farmers and fishermen would start from Sompeta if the government continues with the project.
———-NSS