Oustees stall bhumi pooja by Singareni officials

Manuguru: Displaced persons stalled the ‘bhumi pooja’ being performed by the Singareni Collieries officials for a new coal mine at Mallepalli Yaggadigudem on Sunday, contending how they could do so without rehabilitating them.

The protestors questioned the SCCL officials how they would survive after their crop lands and houses were taken over by the company, while expressing concern.

The displaced persons adamantly squatted at the spot saying that they would not move from the spot till they were compensated.

They alleged that the SCCL officials at the time of taking up survey had promised to give packages to the displaced persons but were yet to honour it, even while taking up the work.

The officials were forcing them to repeatedly undertake trips for redress of their grievances, with a view to ruin their lives, as they had lost their lands.

The displaced told The Hans India that they were being terrorised, that even after several years the persons whose lands were taken over by the SCCL were yet to receive packages and that they were being misguided into giving up their possessions. Some of them broke down while narrating their plight.

The protestors demanded immediate allotment of packages and that Singareni management should come to their rescue. However, the SCCL officials told the displaced persons that allotment of the packages would take some time.