Tension prevails as CPI(M) continues land-grabbing

Hyderabad, May 16 (UNI) Tension prevailed in Hyderabad and Vijayawada today as the CPI(M) continued its land-grabbing movement, demanding dwellings for the poor, amid arrest of its workers.

In Hyderabad, CPI(M) workers planted party flags and erected huts in Miyapur, Bandlaguda and Nagole areas. Tension arose when police prevented party workers from pitching huts. Several party workers were taken into custody.

In Vijayawada, police arrested 50 persons inlcuding Vijayawada city secretary Raghu and resorted to lathicharge when CPI(M) workers refused to disperse and tried to grab the land in Rajeswari Nagar and Padamata areas. They also occupied Wakf land in Bhavanipuram.

In Srikakulam, CITU workers occupied lands belonging to fisheries department and vacant lands in another area. Police had to use force and take some leaders into custody to free the land.

Meanwhile, Home Minister K Jana Reddy criticised the CPI(M) for instigating the poor to occupy public and private lands, even though they knew that the government had launched a massive housing programme to provide decent dwellings to all eligible.

Speaking to newspersons in Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district, the Minister said, ''if this movement continued, it would leave no surplus land and also lead to unnecessary tension.'' He urged the CPI(M) to cooperate with the government which was committed to provide houses to the poor.

UNI