'Vizag Land Scam Under Lokesh's direction'

Speaking to media persons in Visakhapatnam, Botsa expressed anger over the way the case is being probed. About three lakh 'adangal' documents have gone missing in the case, he said. "A land scam of such magnitude had never taken place in the history," he pointed out.

The scam came to light on May 30 when the farmers staged a dharna before the district collectorate in the city demanding justice.

Following cyclone Hudhud In 2014, the people''s representatives had allegedly colluded with Tehsildars and revenue officials to siphon off land worth Rs 20,000 crore by tampering with the land records. Subsequently, the scam rendered hundreds of farmers landless in and around Bheemili.

Botsa opined that the land scam would render a severe blow to the brand image of Visakhapatnam. "Even as the land-sharks are frequently snatching away thousands of acres in the state, the government is not in a position to protect the lands," he said. Botsa demanded that AP Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to speak out over the scam.

The YSRCP leader sought to know as to why there was no prompt action from the state government when such scams are taking place in the state. "Who is the TDP trying to protect?" he questioned.