YERRAGUNTAPALLE (MANCHERIAL):Braving the hot summer, the villagers of Yerraguntapalle are continuing their protest against the open cast (OC) mines coming up at Kalyani Khani in the district. The villagers are on a relay hunger strike and their protest entered the 712th day on Sunday.
The village, 2 km away from Mandamarri town with 350 families, depends on agriculture and dairy farming. The village has sufficient groundwater as three local streams merge in Kuda Vagu near the village outskirts.
Villagers cultivate two crops in their fields and hence they do not want the OC mine to come up in the area. Singerani Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) officials are surveying the land and marking boundaries by erecting cement poles. OC Vyathireka Porata Samithi convener G Buchiah said though HC had given a stay, survey is being continued.