Villagers forcibly evicted from Polavaram project area village

Tense situation prevailed in Angaluru village of Devipatnam in East Godavari district as authorities forcibly demolished 71 houses for Polavaram project on Tuesday.

Despite the villagers’ protests, the authorities moved in bulldozers and cranes to remove the houses.

The villagers were given a compensation of Rs 1.55 lakh per house and Rs 1.10 lakh per acre of agriculture lands way back in 2006. However, the locals have refused to vacate the village and have been staying there for well over five years. They demanded that they be paid additional compensation as the land rates have gone up. They also wanted a new package to be given to them.

On Tuesday, the authorities moved in bulldozers and felled the trees and huts. When the villagers tried to protest, they were forcibly removed and their belongings have been thrown out.