Normal life came to a halt in the Agency area on Saturday due to the bandh called by all parties in protest against the bauxite mining lease granted to AP by the Centre.The bandh went off peacefully. Some leaders from the ruling TDP such as former minister M Manikumari and former MLA of Araku Siveri Soma also took part in the protests in the eleven mandals of Visakha Agency .
The RTC suspended its services in the Agency after agitators stopped buses in the early hours.Private operators stopped jeeps and cars. Shops and establishments remained closed and the weekly markets at Munchingput, Hukumpet and Sapparla were not held due to non-availability of ransportation. Around eleven agitators were arrested at Anantagiri mandal.
Protestors warned the gov ernment with dire consequences f it started mining bauxite. They said they would continue the agi ation till the government withdraws its decision. CPM, CPI, YSRCP and BJP jointly conducted dharnas and protests. TDP cadres joined in the agitations in some areas and also conducted separately agitations.
Bauxite mining: Maoists threaten to kill minister
Ayyanna Told To Stall Mining In The Agency Area
AP panchayat raj minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu on Saturday received a death threat from Maoists, who are opposed to bauxite mining in the Agency area of Visakhapatnam.
The Maoists reportedly warned that Ayyanna Patrudu, who hails from north coastal Andhra, should prevail upon the state government to withdraw the permission for bauxite mining in Narsipatnam division of the Agency area. The outlaws have also demanded that the minister resign from the state cabinet.
Following the threat call, the minister rushed to the state secretariat in Hyderabad to meet chief secretary IYR Krishna Rao. He informed Rao about the Maoist threat. He also briefed him about the mounting pressure from tribals in his assembly constituency to stop the bauxite mining project.
Sources said Patrudu also brought to the notice of the chief secretary that people in his Narsipatnam constituency are under constant threat from Maoists. The minister then spoke to CM Chandrababu Naidu, who assured him that he would discuss the issue with tribal leaders before moving forward. Naidu also asked the minister not to panic and assured full protection to him.
On Thursday , the AP government issued orders permitting mining of bauxite in Narsipatnam. The Maoists have been opposing the mining for long. They even kidnapped three TDP leaders recently and released them only after the government gave an assurance that it would not take up mining. Just after 10 days, the TDP government issued GO (No.97) giving permission to AP Mineral Development Corporation to take up bauxite mining in about 3,000 acres in Narsipatnam forest division. Several TDP leaders in Vizag district are learnt to have received threats from Naxalites.
“It is not the final permission to start mining. Another permission from the mining department is required and we are not going to give it now. First, we will call all tribal leaders and discuss with them whether the state government should take up bauxite mining with the active participation of tribals or keep quiet. Based on their opinion we will move forward. Our CM assured me that he would not go against the sentiment of tribals,“ Patrudu told TOI.
TDP is facing rough weather in Vizag and Vizianagaram where bauxite mining has become an emotional issue with tribal families opposing the same.
Nov 08 2015
Paderu (Visakhapatnam)
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
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