Leaders of various political parties and people’s organisations attended an all-party meeting in Eluru to discuss the proposed Navy depot project. They said they are not against setting up the depot, but strongly opposed the forced acquisition of fertile agricultural land.
The leaders stated that land should not be taken without the consent of villagers and farmers. Many families depend on two-crop fertile land for their livelihood, and losing it would seriously affect their income and future.
They urged the government to look for alternative options, such as using available government land or barren land instead of productive farmland. According to them, development projects should protect farmers’ interests and not cause hardship.
The participants also called for open discussions with villagers before making any final decision. They stressed that development and public welfare should go together, without harming agriculture or rural communities.
