The Hindu Business Line : Tension at Gangavaram

The demands
Fishermen have been agitating for a fishing jetty in the vicinity of their village and a proper rehabilitation package from the Government.

Visakhapatnam , March 26

Tension prevailed at the Gangavaram fishing village in Visakhapatnam district on Saturday, as there was resistance from fishermen to the attempt of officials to move fishing boats to facilitate construction work at the port site.

It may be noted that the fishermen have been agitating for a fishing jetty in the vicinity of their village and a proper rehabilitation package from the Government and private port authorities before proceeding with the construction of the port.

A private consortium led by D.V.S Raju & Company is building the port.

The fishermen not only stopped the shifting of fishing boats to Yarada village by the authorities but also allegedly assaulted the Special Deputy Collector of Gangavaram Port Project, Mr Mohan Reddy, and the Sub-Inspector of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Police Station, Mr B. Surya Rao, who accompanied the revenue officials with a police force.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr V.S.K. Kaumudi, revenue officials along with a couple of policemen had gone to the Dibbapalem village, stationing the major part of the force at Gangavaram village at round 10 a.m. to shift the fishing boats to Yarada village so that the work at the Gangavaram Port site could begin.

While some of the fishermen were ready to go, a small group instigated the people not to do so saying that the rehabilitation package was not yet settled.

This resulted in heated arguments and the SDC was assaulted. The Sub-Inspector of Police who tried to intervene was hit on the head.

Both the SDC and the SI were later shifted to a hospital and the situation was under control. He said both the injured were out of danger.

Charge denied

On the contrary, according to the District Secretary of the CPI (M), Ch. Narsinga Rao, "The entire episode is a drama staged to divide the people of Gangavaram and to throw a bad light on their peaceful agitation."

He said the Government had cleared the package for the Dibbapalem village, but as far as Gangavaram was concerned not even a proper survey had been conducted to identify the fishermen facing displacement due to the port project.

He urged the Government to change its attitude and do justice to the fishermen. Otherwise, the agitation will be intensified, he said.

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