Revanth Reddy begins fast unmindful of CM leaving choice of compensation to farmers

Telangana TDP working president A Revanth Reddy on Saturday began his 48-hour hunger strike in support of Mallannasagar project land oustees at Etigadda Kistapur. Thousands of farmers have been agitating for the last two months as the government was trying to acquire their lands forcibly, he alleged. He launched the two-day fast, demanding justice to the victims of Mallannasagar project. Before leaving for the fasting venue, Revanth Reddy performed puja at Peddamma temple in Hyderabad. Speaking to the media, the TDP leader said the State government was not bothered about protecting the villagers, who are about to lose their fertile lands under the Mallannasagar project. The villagers are not willing to leave their village unless the State government rendered justice. The government was trying to acquire the lands of the poor farmers under GO 123, he alleged. He further demanded that the villagers’ land should be acquired under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act. Chief Minister K. Chadnrasekhar Rao had left the matter of compensation to the affected farmers themselves even Revanth Reddy was beginning his fast.