VISAKHAPATNAM: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha faced intense protests from fisherfolk during her visit to Rajayyapeta village in Nakkapalli mandal of Anakapalli district on Monday.
The local community, protesting for the past 16 days against the proposed Bulk Drug Park, raised serious concern about its potential harm to their livelihoods, and the environment.
Tension prevailed for some time when the fisherfolk blocked Anitha’s convoy, demanding a firm commitment to scrap the project. Police intervened to disperse the crowd.
Later speaking to the media, Anitha noted that the people of Rajayyapeta, a TDP stronghold, invited her to address their grievances.
The Home Minister explained that her visit, initially planned after the Assembly session, was advanced by a day. She alleged that outsiders joined the protest, and caused disturbance, disrupting her interaction with the villagers.
Anithaa promises to halt construction work of park
She recalled that the previous YSRCP regime had virtually laid the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park in February 2024, followed by another foundation stone-laying by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the NDA government in Visakhapatnam.
Anitha acknowledged the severe challenges faced by Rajayyapeta residents due to pollution from the nearby Hetero company, which has already impacted their fishing-based livelihoods.
Responding to the villagers’ demands, she promised to halt the park’s construction work, and proposed forming a committee comprising leaders from all political parties, and residents to find an amicable solution to the issue.
She promised to take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for remedial action.
Anitha highlighted welfare initiatives, including `20,000 financial aid for fishermen during the annual fishing ban period, and pensions for those aged above 50. She urged them not to politicise the issue, stressing that the people of Rajayyapeta are “good-hearted”, and that external elements were fuelling unrest. Anitha also apologised on behalf of police for any inappropriate conduct by personnel during the protests, and promised dialogue with the community.