Left parties have intensified their struggle against the cargo airport plan in Srikakulam district

The left-wing party protested in Ramapuram village of Tekkali division, saying that the land was forcibly acquired for the construction of the cargo airport. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

Several Left parties including CPI-M, CPI, New Democracy and others have intensified their struggle over ‘forced’ acquisition of land for construction of cargo airport near Mulpeta port in Srikakulam district. They have been showing solidarity with the protesting locals of various villages including Rampuram, Ganguwada, Lakshmipuram of Tekkali division of the district.

CPI-M Srikakulam district president D Govindrao said that the construction of the airport would not provide any livelihood opportunities to the locals and would not benefit the locals. He said that the construction of the airport will destroy the paddy fields of those villages.

CPI leader Chapra Venugopal, CPI-ML (New Democracy) leader Gorkala Balakrishna and others alleged that the government is trying to take advantage by allotting land in the coastal region. They have demanded that the government should proceed with phase 2 of the Wamsadahar project immediately to benefit the farmers. Meanwhile, officials have told the locals that the airport will be built only with the consent of the people.

According to them, nearly 1,300 acres of land was required for the airport. The government has been giving compensation according to the rules of land acquisition.