VIZIANAGARAM: Opposing the government’s decision to set up an airport at Bhogapuram, a large number of farmers along with their families from around 18 neighbouring villages near Bhogapuram gathered Monday and took out a rally to the Vizianagaram Collectorate expressing their anger. Tension prevailed as opposition leaders too joined the protest in support of the farmers. A large number of police were deployed as a precautionary measure.
The protest continued for over one-and-a-half hour during which the farmers raised slogans against the governments’s decision, sporting huge flex boards saying ‘Save Farmers’. The protestors said that they will not, under any circumstances, cede their lands for the construction of the airport.
After reaching the gates of the Collectorate, the protested raised slogans, and some even tried to enter the premises, prompting the police to control the crowds. Later, they blocked the National Highway for over an hour, leading to chaos in the town. Meanwhile, members of opposition parties submitted a report over the issue communicating their dissent over the proposal.
They also warned of intensifying the agitation if the government does not withdraw its decision.
Expressing anger over the loss of land if the decision stands, the agitators averred that they would continue the protests till the proposal is scrapped.
YSRCP party members, CPM party members and members of few other local parties and organisations took part.