First anniversary of police firing observed

SRIKAKULAM: Beela, a small place in the district which has been taking on the might of industry, on Thursday observed the first anniversary of police firing which claimed the lives of three protesters during a demonstration against the establishment of a thermal power project in the area last year.A memorial constructed by the Paryavarana Pariraskhana Samithi (PPS) to salute the Beela heroes _ G Joga Rao, B Krishana Murthy and G Krishana Murthy who were killed in police firing on July 14 last year _ was unveiled by Human Rights Forum state secretary VS Krishna at Beela.Addressing the gathering after offering floral tributes to the firing victims, Ramon Magsaysay award winner and ‘water man of Rajasthan’ Rajendra Singh described the Sompeta Movement against the power plant as a beacon to the rest of the country. Though Nagarjuna Construction Company approached the National Green Tribunal challenging the verdict of the National Environmental Appellate Authority quashing the environmental clearance given to NCC, he said the Sompeta people would triumph ultimately in their fight for conservation of water bodies and fertile lands.“India should be proud of PPS which is fighting for conservation of water and wetlands in the country. Though the protesters are mostly illiterates, they need to be lauded for 600 days of movement against the establishment of thermal power plants,’’ he said.During Singh’s address, people took a vow to continue the movement till the government announced complete cancellation of the power plant.Amita Singh, who played a key role in the Nandigram and Singur protests, expressed her concern that the protest, born at the grass root level, must continue as every nook and corner of the country was drawing inspiration from the Sompeta movement in the fight for protection of natural resources.HRF state secretary VS Krishna said fertile lands must be given back to the farmers and the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation take back the 700 acres from NCC.“As long as the central government drags the issue without ordering cancellation of the permission given for the thermal plant, the movement will continue’ he warned.Telugu actor and filmmaker R Narayana Murthy said political leaders should not take credit for the success of the Sompeta movement. Protesters must be wary of political parties which stymie the movement, he cautioned people.“All of us are united in the task of protecting natural resources. Sompeta is expressing its gratitude to the members of the families of Beela heroes,” said PPS president Y Krishna Murthy.Thousands of people from all parts of the district participated in the procession which passed through Palasapuram, the native village of G Joga Rao.Sompeta observed bandh on the day in response to a call given by the PPS.