The Hindu Business Line : Protests against Jindal plant

Heavy police deployment at the venue of the ‘mahadharna’ at Boddavara in Vizianagaram district on Tuesday in protest against the proposal to set up an alumina refinery by the Jindals.

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam, July 10 The workers of the Telugu Desam, the BJP, and the two Left parties staged a stormy demonstration on Tuesday in front of the Visakhapatnam Zilla Parishad, in protest against the proposal of the State Government to undertake bauxite mining in the agency (tribal) tract of Visakhapatnam district through the AP Mineral Development Corporation and to allow the Jindal group to set up the alumina refinery in Vizianagaram district.

As the police kept the agitating workers of different Opposition parties at bay with great difficulty outside the ZP building, the District Development Review Committee meeting began amidst noisy scenes.

The Telugu Desam MLAs – Mr G. Srinivasa Rao, Mr Ch. Venkata Rao and others – insisted on a discussion on the controversial issue of providing water (8 mgd) to the Jindal refinery.

Mr K. Lakshiminarayana, the Minster for Transport, who was presiding over the meeting, rejected the demand stating that the issue was not on the agenda and it could be taken up later.

The Telugu Desam leaders, however, argued that they had already served a notice and, therefore, the issue be included on the agenda in view of its importance.

The Minister rejected the contention and heated arguments ensued for over an hour.

As the deadlock could not be broken, the District Collector, Mr. A.K Singhal, instructed the official to read out the agenda amidst protests by the Telugu Desam leaders.

Mr Ch. Venkata Rao (TDP) snatched the agenda papers from the official, shoving aside a policeman on his way to the dais. The officials walked out and the Minister announced postponement of the meeting, condemning the “unruly behaviour” of the TDP leaders.

At the site of the proposed refinery in Vizianagaram district, there was heavy police deployment as the Opposition is gearing for a big demonstration. Most of the leaders and activists were stopped on their way to the site and only a few TDP leaders could reach there.

They spoke against the refinery and stopped traffic for some time at Boddavara Junction to register their protest.

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