Srikakulam, July 14: At least two persons were killed and several others, including 30 policemen, injured when a large group of farmers and fishermen protesting against setting up of a power plant clashed with police in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district today.
The clash erupted when the protestors in large number gathered at the site where a thermal power plant is proposed to be constructed by NCC Power Projects Ltd, a subsidiary of NCCL at Sompeta, 120 kilometers from Visakhapatnam.
According to DIG(Visakhapatnam Range) Sowmya Mishra, “Two persons died in the police firing and we could not figure out how many were injured as all of them fled after the firing.”
Mishra said the police had to open fire after the situation went out of control.
The mob set afire police vehicles and pelted stones in which several policemen were injured. Some mediapersons were also reportedly hurt in the incident, she told PTI.
Trouble started in the morning when a group led by P Sairaj, local Telugu Desam MLA tried to obstruct the construction of a compound wall at the plant site. He was arrested and around 15 people were taken in to preventive custody.
“We are rushing additional forces to the site and the situation is under control,” Mishra said.
The injured have been rushed to hospitals at Sompeta and other places. Eyewitnesses claimed that at least eight persons sustained serious injuries during the clashes.
The opposition Telugu Desam, Left parties and environmental groups have been opposing the proposed power project saying that the coal-based plant would cause great harm to the environment.
The 2,640 mw (4X660 mw) power project is estimated to cost Rs 12,000 crore. The first phase, with a capacity of 1,320 mw, would cost about Rs 7,000 crore.
Slamming the “stubborn” attitude of the Congress Government, senior TDP leader from Srikakulam District, T Sitaram said industrialisation should not be at the cost of environment and livelihood of the poor. He asked the Government not to go ahead with the project.
Condemning the incident, State Home Minister P Sabitha Reddy told reporters in Hyderabad that the police firing took place despite the instructions not to open fire at agitators.
The police had to open fire as the situation did not come under control despite their best efforts, she said.
The situation is under control and the Government will try its best to maintain peace and law and order, she said.
—Agencies