CPI(M) leader, others arrested for occupying forest land

Chittoor, June 20 (UNI) Police today arrested Communist Party of India(Marxist) Andhra Pradesh Secretary B V Raghavulu, party activists and a large number of Dalits for occupying the forest land at Nagalapuram mandal in Chittoor District.

As part of Bhoo Poratam, hundreds of Left party activists and Dalits, including women led by Mr Ragavulu and District CPI(M) Secretary K Murali had entered into the forest land at Nagalapuram mandal and hoisted the flags.

A police team rushed to the spot and dispersed the occupants of the land.

Mr Ragavulu and others were later released.

Later, talking to newspersons here, Mr Raghavulu said the government had sanctioned forest land at Nagalapuram mandal to 270 dalits three decades ago, but still the land was in the clutches of the landlords. Whenever the Dalits entered into the land for cultivation, the forest officials registered cases against them, he alleged.

While referring to the West Bengal issue raised by the Congress party, he said the Congress can start a similar agitation against the West Bengal government, if they are committed to assist the poor and downtrodden.

He said the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) formed recently by some leaders would not succeed as any Third Front formed without struggle and any standard policy cannot sustain itself in contemporary politics.

The party would conduct awareness meetings across the state to highlight the government's indifferent attitude in distributing surplus land to the poor, he added.

The CPI(M) leader said if the government implement the recommendations of Koneru Ranga Rao Committee report, the party will withdraw its agitation.

UNI