PRESS NOTE
We, Polepalli SEZ Vyathireka Ikya Sanghtana are contesting these elections as we find all political groups have cheated the poor farmers and are responsible for the deaths of the farmers. All political parties are silent of this major crime that’s taking the lives of the people in the name of SEZ.
Special Economic Zone Act 2005 was brought in by BJP government at the Centre. Around 200 SEZs got permission in India and they are slowly spreading their giant foot in the villages. In the name of development the SEZs are taking away lives of poor, exploiting natural resources and demolishing the socio cultural fabric of our rural societies. So far it has taken 14 lakh acres of land from poor and gave to them in the name of development.
The SEZ Act is meant for corporate sector, both local and multinational capitalist interest, fulfilling the needs of a castiest ruling classes having their representatives in every sphere of governance- bureaucracy, elected representatives, section of media among other sections- that is ever willing to sacrifice people interests before the lure of money bags. SEZ is here to loot thousands of acres of land from poor for peasants. Govt has become shameless real estate broker throwing to winds the constitutional promises of social justice and welfare of the poorest . Now it is Reliance, Tata, Aurobindo, Adidas, Saleem Groups, Satyam, WIPRO and others who are most important than the poorest of the poor.
Polepalli SEZ
Around 1000 acres of fertile land was grabbed by APIIC under Telugu Desam govt in 2003 in the name of developing a mega green park. Later it was declared that there is going to be a SEZ and that too highly hazardous Pharmaceutical Company like Aurobindo and Hetero Drugs. All the lands identified for forced acquisition by the government for SEZ interestingly belong to dalits, Adivasi, BCs and Minorities!
Government has become a mafia resorting to all illegal means of looting lands of the poor in Polepalli SEZ. They grabbed land for paltry amounts like Rs 5000 to Rs 6000 per acre in Gundlagadda Thanda, Mudireddypalli and Polepalli villages. Some farmers did not even get that amount. Farmers with self pride have suddenly become beggars in their own lands and “bonded labourers” of a fate worse than death. They are now working for SEZ in the farm lands that once belonged to them. Forty one farmers have lost their lives in these villages because of SEZ looting their lands and hopes and self respect. Around 300 acres of the acquired land was once given to dalits and the poor as assigned lands during the regime of Indira Gandhi. Current Indiramma Rajyam has made them paupers and their women into widows and children into orphans
Affected farmers pleaded every political party and officials but in vain. Promises of good houses, jobs and other facilities vanished into thin air once their lands slipped off their hands. Now they are beggars, and are jailed and beaten by authorities and mafia. All political parties including TRS are responsible for the deaths of the farmers. They don’t know where to go and whom to ask for justice.
The affected farmers wanted to voice their woes and expose how they are cheated by one and all here in the name of SEZ. Thirteen members of the poor farmers are contesting to tell the world that these political parties have mortgaged interests of the poor before the SEZ lords. They appeal to citizens of the land and all those concerned that SEZ specter is going to kill the farmers now and everyone gradually and kill our natural resources also.
Facing these major political parties is no small thing. Politicians and local officials are harassing the contestants and the people of Polepalli. Poor people are terrorized. They are abducted and threatened of dire consequences if they don’t withdraw or don’t campaign for the Congress. They are denied of permission for using mikes, holding public meetings, vehicles and finally Contestants abducted on 23 May were released later .
All other political parties are silently supporting the murder of democracy in Polepalli and Jadcherla constituency. Anti SEZ farmers committee appeals all democratic sections to condemn the atrocities against the poor and violation of the election norms
Condemn
- Heinous acts of Congress-I, BJP and TRS for cheating the farmers and harassment and atrocities taking toll of farmers
- Goondaism of Congress for abducting the Anti-SEZ contestants
- Silence of all major parties about the atrocities against the poor
- BJP for cheating & joining hands with the Congress SEZ agents
Farmers are challenging the ruling parties with their strong conviction and faith in people’s wisdom. They appeal to support them in these elections to say that justice will be there even if it is delayed. It is time to express solidarity with the farmers struggle against SEZ and demand withdrawal of SEZ. It is time to say self respect and entitlements of the poor are also important as the greed of the rich.
- Demand justice to poor people of Polepalli SEZ and give back lands to the poor farmers
- Demand withdrawal of Polepalli SEZ
- Save Mahbubnagar from the poisonous Pharma industry that is banned elsewhere
- Vote for Polepalli contestants to express solidarity with voices questioning day light robbery of the poor people
Thanking You
Yours sincerely
Contestants-
Smt Mala Jangilamma; Etti Srinivasulu;
Harijana Danaiah; Gopala Krishna,
Seenaiah Goud, Ravula Krishnaiah
Smt Satyamma; Smt Mogulamma;
Depalli Chinna Venkanna; Depalli Yadaiah;
Kanduri Kurmaiah; Kanduri Narasimha;
Etti Lingaiah; Etti Srinivasulu;
Harijana Danaiah; Gopala Krishna,
Seenaiah Goud, Ravula Krishnaiah
Madhu Kagula, Convenor, Polepally SEZ Vyathireka Ikya Sanghatana, Sujatha Surepally
J. Goutham.
Save democracy * Support Anti SEZ Polepalli Campaign * Vote to Support People’s Struggle
