CPI, CPM leaders lead rally against Congress govt over demolition of huts in Hanamkonda

Left parties staged a massive protest in Hanamkonda on Saturday against the Congress government for demolishing huts built by the poor in Warangal and Hanamkonda districts. CPI and CPM leaders led a rally and dharna, warning that the agitation for housing rights would intensify statewide if the government failed to provide pattas and stop targeting the poor.

Hanamkonda: Left parties staged a massive protest here on Saturday against the Congress government for demolishing the huts built by the poor in Hanamkonda and Warangal districts.

CPI State secretary, MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, CPM State secretary John Wesley, MCPI (U) State secretary Gadagoni Ravi, former CPI-ML (Mass Line) MLA Gummadi Narsaiah, and CPI State assistant secretary Takkallapalli Srinivasa Rao took part in the protest.

---

They took out a rally from Ekasila Park to Hanamkonda collectorate and staged a dharna at Martyrs’ Memorial. Tension prevailed for some time when police tried to detain Sambasiva Rao and Wesley as activists clashed with police.

Sambasiva Rao stated that the struggle to secure housing sites for the poor was being launched from Warangal; the movement would expand statewide and continue until the government relented.

He told officials and the government to stop targetting the poor and instead to focus on land grabbers and real estate developers. He sought to know why the huts built by the poor on the government land at Gundla Singaram and Gopalpur were demolished while accusing the local MLAs of remaining silent while the demolitions were taking place.

Sambasiva Rao informed that protests in front of Hanamkonda and Warangal collectorates would be held on July 1, followed by a massive state-level dharna at Indira Park in Hyderabad on July 6 demanding pattas for the huts occupied by the poor across the State.

CPM leader Wesley demanded that land titles be issued for the very sites where the huts had been demolished. It was unjust to demolish huts built by the poor on just 50 square yards of government land when they lacked housing and could not afford rent.

He insisted that the government fulfill the promises made during the elections. He warned that if the government, which had demolished huts at Velugumatla in Khammam recently and in Warangal did not change its stance, the poor would bring down the government.