YSR Congress party honorary president Y S Vijayamma on Sunday assured the fishermen of Tikkavanipalem, who were injured when the CISF personnel resorted to lathicharge at NTPC near Parawada, that she would raise their issue in the Assembly and seek justice as their livelihood was being affected due to the pollution caused by the Public Sector Unit.
Addressing the fishermen at Tikkavanipalem near Parawada, Vijayamma said that YSR Congress would stand for their cause and agitate against the government until the fishermen were provided jobs in the NTPC. She accused the government of showing negligent attitude towards the farmers and fishermen problems. She demanded that the NTPC take all steps to prevent pollution as fishermen’s livelihood was being affected due to the pollution.
Earlier, Vijayamma held discussions with the NTPC officials over providing jobs to victims’ children and resettle their villages on the grounds that they were not getting enough catch due to dumping of hazardous waste into the sea. The fishermen have accused the NTPC of releasing hot water and polluted substances into the sea at the ash ponds constructed in Upputeru, which they say has threatened their livelihood.
Former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s daughter Sharmila also addressed the fishermen and assured that her party would stand for their cause.
It may be mentioned that last week eight persons were injured when CISF personnel manning NTPC’s seawater pump house at Tikkavani-palem near Parawada clashed with angry villagers who were demanding jobs in the PSU as their livelihood was being affected due to the pollution caused by the plant. (INN)