B Tulasi das
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M), Andhra Pradesh committee initiated the 'Polavaram Nirvasitula Poru Keka', foot march on June 20 from Nellipaka, a village facing the threat of submergence in Alluri Seetarama Raju district, demanding the resolution of various problems of the displaced people of Polavaram project. Led by V Srinivasa Rao, the state secretary of CPI(M), the yatra will cover approximately 400 kilometres over a span of 15 days and culminate on July 4 in Vijayawada with a 'maha dharna' (massive sit-in protest). The yatra was inaugurated by Vijoo Krishnan, a member of the CPI(M) Central Secretariat and the general secretary of AIKS (All India Kisan Sabha).
A public meeting was organised on this occasion. B Kiran, the secretary of CPI(M) ASR Rampa Chodavaram district committee, presided over it.
“The Polavaram-displaced people are waging a determined struggle for their survival, and this yatra marks the commencement of their efforts to fulfill their rightful demands," stated Vijoo Krishnan. He commended the displaced individuals for making sacrifices that have benefited people in other regions in terms of access to drinking water, irrigation for agricultural fields, and overall development. However, both the BJP and YSRCP governments pay no attention to the demands of the displaced people. Consequently, the ongoing struggles persist due to the government's failure to address their concerns.
Vijoo Krishnan called for the implementation of the 2013 Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Act, which replaced the outdated 1894 Act, as a necessary measure for the displaced people. He mentioned ongoing agitations taking place in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. Krishnan accused the Modi government of allocating vast expanses of land to corporate entities like Adani and Ambani, thereby impoverishing the farming community. He emphasized the significance of the courageous Kisan Andolan in Delhi, which successfully opposed the farm laws proposed by the Modi government. He also highlighted the impactful Nasik-to-Mumbai long march. He urged the Polavaram displaced people to draw inspiration from these struggles and forge ahead with their own demands.
V Srinivasa Rao, the CPI(M) state secretary, strongly criticised the government, declaring that if the rulers attempted to submerge their villages, the displaced people would metaphorically drown the governments in the river Godavari. He denounced the tendency of some leaders to embark on yatras solely to gain power, emphasizing that this particular yatra was driven by a genuine concern for the welfare of marginalised communities such as Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (BC), and other poor, displaced people.
Srinivasa Rao pointed out that the central government has failed to allocate the necessary funds for the rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) process. He highlighted the significant disparity between the meager Rs 7,000 crore released by the government for rehabilitation, while the actual requirement amounted to Rs 32,000 crore. He criticised the ruling and opposition parties in the state for engaging in political mudslinging instead of genuinely working for the benefit of the displaced families. He demanded that the government prioritise the rehabilitation efforts and focus on addressing the needs of the affected communities.
He appealed to all political parties and various mass organisations, urging them to support the ongoing agitation to ensure its success, and express solidarity with the struggle of the displaced people. In line with this, the CPI(M) state committee issued a call to observe June 26 as Solidarity Day.
P Sudarshan, CPI(M) Telangana state secretariat member, highlighted that the CPI(M) has been steadfastly fighting for the demands of the displaced people since the project's initiation in 2005. He also mentioned the police firing on the protest in Bhadrachalam, which is currently located in Telangana. He conveyed his greetings and support for the ongoing yatra.
Raju, an MPTC (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency) representative from Gannavaram, felicitated Srinivasa Rao with a garland as a symbol of solidarity on behalf of the CPI.
The volunteers participating in the yatra took a pledge, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Additionally, a booklet was inaugurated as part of the event. Mantena Seetaram and V Venkateswarlu, both members of the CPI(M) state secretariat, also delivered speeches during the gathering. Ravi, Balaram, and Arun, who serve as district secretaries of Eluru, West Godavari, and East Godavari districts respectively, participated in the event.
With great enthusiasm, the yatra continued its journey and successfully covered a distance of 16 kilometres on the first day, and arrived at Murumuru by evening.
