Data centre row: Left leaders detained en route to Tarluvada
Police detained leaders of the CPI, CPI(M) and other Left parties on Monday while they were on their way to Tarluvada village in Anandapuram mandal
Police detained leaders of the CPI, CPI(M) and other Left parties on Monday while they were on their way to Tarluvada village in Anandapuram mandal to inspect the site of the proposed data centre project and meet farmers over land acquisition issues. According to the Left parties, the leaders and activists had begun their bike rally from the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Visakhapatnam to interact with farmers and inspect the project site.
Police intercepted them near Tarluvada Junction on the Anandapuram–Pendurthi Highway and shifted them to the Anandapuram police station, preventing the proposed meeting. The CITU district committee condemned the detentions and demanded the immediate release of those taken into custody. It alleged that land had been acquired forcibly from farmers and that compensation had not been paid to several affected landowners.
The Left parties also alleged that the proposed project could adversely affect the environment, including groundwater resources and local temperatures, and expressed concern over the deployment of a large police force in villages around Tarluvada. Speaking after the detentions, CPI and CPI(M) leaders criticised the police action, alleging that it curtailed democratic rights. They reiterated their demand that the government halt the proposed project and address the concerns raised by farmers and local residents.
Police detained 37 leaders and activists during the protest. They were released later in the evening, according to the Left parties.
The BriefWire