Left parties on Tuesday strongly condemned police detentions and restrictions in Nellore district, alleging that the government was trying to suppress public opinion ahead of a public hearing on the proposed ethanol plants at IFFCO Kisan SEZ in Racharlapadu village of Kodavalur mandal.
Leaders said in a joint statement that the police action was aimed at preventing opposition voices from participating in public hearings on projects that could have serious consequences for agriculture, the environment and local livelihoods.
Statements were issued by V. Srinivas Rao of CPI(M), G. Eswaraiah of CPI, P. Prasad of CPI(ML) New Democracy, Jasti Kishore Babu of CPI(ML), Katam Nagabhushanam of MCPI(U), B. Bangara Rao of CPI(ML) Liberation of BS, M. New Democrat, of ABS SUCI(C), PV Sundararamaraju of Forward Bloc and Janaki Ramulu of Revolutionary Socialist Party.
They claimed that leaders of various leftist parties were either arrested or placed under house arrest while they attended the public hearing. Among those arrested were CPI(M) district secretary Moolam Ramesh, Y. Mohan Rao, Mooli Vengayya and T. Gopal; CPI(ML) New Democracy leaders Sagar, Lakshmireddy and Y. Ramakrishna; SUCI(C) leader Basavaraju; BSP leader M. Bati Srinivasulu; Forward Bloc leader PV Sundararamaraju; Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Janaki Ramulu; and CPI(ML) Liberation leader B. Bangara Rao. Others who were trying to reach the place were detained at the Kovur police station.
Left parties said the land was acquired from farmers almost 25 years ago for the Kisan SEZ, but no meaningful development has taken place so far. They alleged that the government is now seeking to allow chemical and ethanol-based industries in the area, which would adversely affect agriculture, the environment and the livelihood of local residents.
Following the end of the police action, authoritarian and non-democratic parties demanded the immediate release of all detained leaders, the lifting of house arrest and the conduct of public hearings in a free, legal and democratic manner. They also called on the government to withdraw its proposal to allow polluting industries in the region.
Published – 30 Dec 2025 20:51 IST
