Ryot leaders commence indefinite fast in jail

Kakinada, Jan 22 (UNI) Leaders of ten farmers' organisations, heading an agitation against SEZs, who were arrested on charge of obstructing the construction of fencing along the lands acquired in U Kothapalli mandal in Kakinada district, today began an indefinite fast in sub-jail here.

Bail petitions were moved on their behalf in the Pithapuram court.

A team of CPI(ML) Liberation, led by former Bihar MP Rameswer Prasad and Politbureau Member D P Bakshi, called on them and expressed solidarity with their struggle.

They assured them that they would take up the issue at the national level and ensure that justice was rendered to them.

BJP floor leader in AP Assembly Kishan Reddy also called on them and promised his party's support.

Meanwhile, pressure was being mounted on Andhra Pradesh government for their release. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and BJP staged dharnas and presented a memorandum to the District Collector, alleging that their arrest was illegal. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also questioned the arrest against wresting of their agricultural lands. Congress MLA Mutha Gopalakrishna also expressed his displeasure over the arrest.

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