Left parties hold protest over ‘land grab’ for proposed cargo airport in Srikakulam-OxBig News Network

Left parties held a rally in Ganguvada village of Mandasa mandal, in Srikakulam district on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: ARRANGEMENT

The land acquisition for a proposed cargo airport near Mulapeta seaport in Srikakulam district has sparked strong opposition, with Left parties launching protests against what they describe as a government-led ‘land grab’. The Left party leaders under the banner of ‘Kalajata’ organised a protest rally in Ganguvada and other villages of Mandasa mandal in Srikakulam district to garner the support of locals against the land acquisition.

CPI(M)-Srikakulam District Secretary D. Govinda Rao said: “The government could allocate the 300 acres of land already under the control of Mulapeta seaport for the construction of the airport instead of forcing people to surrender their fertile lands of coconut and cashew groves under the garb of development.” He added that people don’t want destructive development in Uddanam region. They have consistently opposed destructive development. Previously, they opposed the thermal plants at Sompeta. Similar massive and continuous protests would be organised if the government does not give a clear statement on the issue.”

The rally was led by CPI(M)-Srikakulam District Secretary D. Govinda Rao, CPI-Srikakulam District Secretary Chapara Venkata Ramana, CPI-ML (New Democracy) leader Tandra Prakash, Cargo Airport Vyatrika Porata Samithi leader Komaravasu, and others.