Srikakulam, March 14: Villagers, under the banner of Kakarapalli Thermal Plant Vyatireka Porata Samiti, today re-launched the relay hunger strike at Vadditandra village in Santabommali mandal against the proposed thermal power plant of East Coast Energy Private Ltd at Kakarapalli in Srikakulam district.
On Feb 28, a large number of policemen entered the villages surrounding the project site and arrested those sitting on hunger strike. The police fired rubber bullets to disperse the agitators who turned violent.
Two villagers died from bullet injuries and several others were injured.
Besides, 50 houses were gutted by smoke bombs at Vadditandra.
M Narasinga Rao, president of Bhavanapadu Thermal Plant Vyatireka Porata Samiti, which is supporting the hunger strike, said today that the government’s silence on their demand only indicated that the project’s promoter, East Coast Energy, would resume the work. “When the plant comes into being, thousands of people in four mandals will lose their livelihood due to pollution which will be produced by the factory. The government has given permission to the project at the cost of ecology and livelihood of people.’’ Further, he said, the government did not announce compensation to those whose houses were burnt by the tear-gas shells at Vadditandra.
Speaking to Express, former energy secretary EAS Sarma said the ministry of environment was deliberately dragging its feet even after an expert panel submitted a report.
–Agencies