People of three neighbouring States, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, who would be affected due to the Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh, protested on Wednesday against the Central Government for allowing the project in the tribal area.
Members of the People against Polavaram Project (PAPP) held a procession at Motu town in Malkangiri district and submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the local Tehsildar requesting him to stop the project which would submerge their villages.
The protestors alleged that the Andhra Pradesh and the Central Governments should take opinions from the tribals to go ahead with the project. “If the Government recently held public hearing through Gram Sabhas in the tribal areas of Niyamgiri, why the same formula cannot be used in the case of the Polavaram,” asked PAPP protesters.
The protesters from the States staged ‘Jal Satyagraha’ and declared that the protest would continue till the project is stopped.