Panchadarla, Anakapalli, July 21: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Botcha Satyanarayana gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate all mining activity from the sacred Panchadarla hills and immediately remove every machine and piece of equipment. He warned that YSRCP would launch a protest at the mining site itself if the government failed to act. He demanded criminal cases against those responsible, a comprehensive investigation and a government order declaring the area around the Uma Dharmalingeswara Swamy temple a permanent No-Mining Zone.
Former ministers Botcha Satyanarayana, Kurasala Kannababu and Gudivada Amarnath, former MLA Karanam Dharmasri and other YSRCP leaders inspected the excavation sites during the “Chalo Panchadarla” programme, attended by thousands of devotees, activists and representatives of public organisations. They witnessed deep excavation of the hill and muddy water flowing through the sacred natural springs. Local devotees explained the environmental damage and disruption caused to temple access and worship.
Botcha said the coalition government speaks about protecting dharma but remains silent while a historic temple and its surroundings are being destroyed. He said the matter would be taken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention if necessary. He demanded an impartial inquiry, uninterrupted facilities for devotees and immediate action against everyone involved, irrespective of political position.
Kurasala Kannababu demanded a No-Mining Zone within a 30-kilometre radius of the temple. He said the hill had been excavated to a depth of nearly 120 feet, damaging natural water resources and ecological balance. He questioned Chandrababu Naidu’s silence after making political attacks over Rushikonda in the past and said YSRCP would intensify the struggle under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership until legal protection was granted.
Gudivada Amarnath said no soil should be removed from the sacred precincts and described Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh as “Corruption Man Ramesh.” He said a massive electoral mandate was not a blank cheque to exploit Anakapalli’s natural resources. He stated that departmental surveys linked drilling vibrations and mining activity to the muddy water appearing in the ancient springs.
Karanam Dharmasri demanded a binding government order instead of resolutions and assurances. District leaders Boddeti Prasad and K.K. Raju said the mining had damaged sacred springs, the environment and public faith. YSRCP declared that its movement would conti
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