Capital farmers file petition in HC, notices issued to Govt

Hyderabad, Feb 20, 2015: In a clear embarrassment to AP Government and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, some farmers from the capital region of AP have on Friday filed petition in the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad seeking to exempt them from land pooling. The farmers told the High Court that Government officials are forcing them to agree to land pooling terms and forcibly taking away their fertile lands. 32 farmers from the villages of Mangalagiri and Tadepalli Mandalas have sought directions to the AP Government not to force or harass them on land pooling. The apex court of the state, after hearing the arguments of the farmers, has issued notices to the state Advocate General to present the government stance on the issue. Further hearing on the petition was deferred for Monday.