Data center row: Lion leaders detained on their way to Tarluvada

Left party leaders and activists raise slogans as police detain them near Tarluvada junction in Anandapuram mandal of Visakhapatnam district on Monday | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Police on Monday detained leaders of the CPI, CPI(M) and other Left parties when they were on their way to Tarluvada village in Anandapuram mandal to inspect the site of a proposed data center project and meet farmers over land acquisition issues.

According to the Left parties, the leaders and activists started their cycle rally at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Visakhapatnam to interact with the farmers and inspect the project site. The police detained them near Tarluvada Junction on Anandapuram-Pendurthi National Highway and shifted them to Anandapuram Police Station, preventing the proposed meeting.

The district committee of CITU condemned the arrest and demanded the immediate release of those arrested. It alleged that land was forcibly acquired from farmers and that compensation was not paid to several affected landowners. Leftist parties also claimed that the proposed project could adversely affect the environment, including groundwater sources and local temperatures, and expressed concern over the deployment of a large police force in villages around Tarluvada.

After the arrest, CPI and CPI(M) leaders criticized the police action, saying it curtailed democratic rights. They reiterated their demand that the government halt the proposed project and address the concerns of farmers and local residents.

Police detained 37 leaders and activists during the protest. According to left-wing parties, they were released later that evening.

Published – 27 Jul 2026 20:45 IST