Khammam evictions row: Ponguleti alleges use of ‘paid artists’ in protests

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy alleged that paid artists and certain YouTube channels were being used to mislead the public over demolitions in Velugumatla. He blamed the BRS and assured support and housing for genuine poor families

Hyderabad: Stirring a controversy, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Thursday alleged that “paid artists” were being deployed to stage protests over the demolitions at Velugumatla in Khammam and that certain YouTube channels were being used to mislead the public.

Accusing the Bharat Rashtra Samithi of being behind the protests, he said the Congress government would not deny any benefits to the “genuine poor”. Justice would be rendered to all poor residents of Vinobha Navodaya Colony, he said, alleging that the previous BRS regime had demolished houses of the poor at Velugumatla and that the residents had rebuilt them thereafter.

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Maintaining that the evacuations from Bhoodan lands were being carried out in compliance with High Court orders, the Minister said all poor families who suffered losses would be offered house sites and sanctioned houses as well.

When asked why no prior information was given to the poor before the demolitions, the Minister left the venue without responding.