*Govt bulldozes Farmers’ fields in Amaravati*

Tadepalli, July 11: YSR Congress Party Mangalagiri In-charge Donthireddy Vemareddy condemned what he described as the coalition government's "bulldozer politics" against farmers in the Amaravati capital region, stating that the government itself had turned into a force of intimidation by destroying standing crops and forcibly taking over farmers' lands with JCBs simply because they refused to part with their property for the capital project. Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said 11 small and marginal farmers of Undavalli, each owning just 10 to 30 cents of land, were targeted despite depending entirely on agriculture for their livelihood. Instead of engaging with the farmers and resolving their concerns, the government deployed nearly 100 police personnel and forcibly took possession of their 2.72 acres for the Seed Axis Road after destroying cultivated fields. He said the operation was deliberately carried out on a weekend when courts remained closed, denying the farmers any immediate legal remedy.

Vemareddy said the government's actions exposed its obsession with acquiring land rather than protecting farmers. He pointed out that even before Amaravati was announced as the capital, land in Undavalli commanded market prices of Rs. 5-6 crore per acre, whereas the government has now fixed compensation at just Rs. 2.40 crore per acre. He questioned why a government that is borrowing lakhs of crores could not pay fair market compensation for merely 2.72 acres of land.

He further said farmers across the state are already struggling due to the lack of remunerative prices, while in Amaravati the government has gone a step further by preventing even cultivation. He noted that nearly ten years after farmers pooled land for the capital, many are yet to receive developed returnable plots, while fresh coercive acquisition has now begun against those who refused to surrender their lands.

Vemareddy asserted that the coalition government had betrayed farmers through intimidation and misinformation and warned that it would be held accountable for every injustice committed against them. He reiterated that the YSR Congress Party would stand firmly with every affected farmer, continue its legal and political fight, and ensure that their rights, livelihoods and dignity are protected.