Supreme Court lawyer Priyanka Kakkar meets farmers from four villages, asks, “What happened to the election promises? Why the forced acquisition of farmers’ lands?” Farmers questioned Pharmacity area, June 19: Supreme Court lawyer Priyanka Kakkar on Friday met farmers from four villages who are continuing their struggle against the Pharmacity land acquisition issue and learned about their problems and opinions. She visited Kurimidda, Nanaknagar, Tadiparthi and Medipalli villages and met the farmers and discussed the issues related to land acquisition in detail. Expressing their grievances, the farmers recalled that during the last assembly elections, Congress party leaders had promised to cancel the Pharmacity project, protect the farmers’ lands and that there would be no forced land acquisition. However, after coming to power, they alleged that the government has ignored the promises given to them and is trying to acquire the lands with the help of police forces. The farmers said that the investigation into the land acquisition issue is currently ongoing in the courts and that despite the stay of the High Court, the officials are coming into the villages and putting pressure on them. He said that in a democratic system, the government has the responsibility to respect the orders of the courts, but it is worrying to take steps to acquire lands by ignoring them. He also criticized that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is talking about protecting the constitution across the country, but in Telangana, he is trampling on the rights of farmers and acting against the spirit of the constitution. He said that it is sad that the leaders who said before the elections, “Abolish pharmacy – do not give your lands, our government will come” are now acting without considering the views of the farmers. After listening carefully to the problems of the farmers, Supreme Court lawyer Priyanka Kakkar said that she is fully recording the objections and concerns expressed by the farmers. She said that she will mention land acquisition, legal issues, farmers’ arguments and other issues at the relevant level. Those who participated in the meeting said that they have assured that they will try to bring the issues raised by the farmers to the attention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The farmers made it clear that the farmers’ struggle against pharmacy land acquisition will continue and that they will further strengthen the movement legally to protect their lands and livelihoods. They demanded that the government respect their views, stop coercive measures and hold talks with the farmers. Representatives of the Pharmacity Struggle Committee, farmers from four villages, coordinator Kavula Saraswati, committee members Kana Mouni, Ganesh, Sandeep Reddy, Devoj, Kondal Reddy, Lingam, Maipal Reddy and others participated in the program. A large number of farmers from village to village attended and explained their views to Priyanka Kakkar. The farmers made it clear on this occasion that “the fight will continue for the protection of farmers’ rights, implementation of the promises made, and respect for the orders of the courts.”
