Thaindian News

Hyderabad, July 15 (IANS) The situation in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district continued to be tense Thursday, a day after police firing on villagers protesting against a thermal power project killed two and the ensuing violence left about 150 injured.
People in Sompeta area and surrounding villages of Srikakulam district, around 600 km from here, lived in fear as police forces continued raids to arrest those who were behind the violence.

Hundreds of armed policemen were deployed in about a dozen villages and orders banning assembly of five or more persons were imposed to quell fresh protests against a proposed mega thermal power project.

“A curfew-like situation is prevailing as security personnel are not allowing us to move out of our homes. There are policemen in every nook and corner, we are living in fear. Anything can happen any time,” said a villager.

Two fishermen were killed and dozens were wounded as police opened fire on protesters trying to obstruct construction work on the project, saying that it will harm the ecology and destroy their livelihood. Unconfirmed reports have put the death toll at four.

About 150 people were injured in the clashes between stone-pelting protesters and police which used baton charge. The injured include 45 policemen.

Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) is building the 2,640 MW electricity project at a cost of Rs.1,200 crore ($250 million).

Farmers and fishermen of the region have been protesting against the project as it is coming up on 1,890 acre on a wetland and is close to the sea coast. They fear the project will destroy the ecology and will take away their livelihood.