Tension prevailed near the district Collectorate in Paderu on Monday as members of the Adivasi Girijana Sangham, representing the villagers, staged a protest demanding the scrapping of agreements related to proposed hydro power projects in the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, even as the district administration assured villagers that all activities would be carried out only after due consultation.

Braving inclement weather, the protesters marched from the Government Junior College grounds along the RTC main road to the Collectorate, where they staged a dharna under the banner of the Sangham’s campaign against the hydro power projects. Addressing the gathering, National Executive Committee member of the Sangham, P. Appala Narsa, alleged that surveys and exploratory drilling were being carried out without the consent of the gram sabhas, and in violation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, the Panchayati Raj Act and the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.

State general secretary K. Surendra accused the project authorities of intimidating tribal residents and spreading misinformation to suppress opposition to the project. District secretary P. Baladev alleged that the Collector’s office was indulging in one-sided publicity that ignored environmental concerns and public objections, without releasing the Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment reports. Anantagiri ZPTC member Dasari Gangaraju echoed these concerns.

The Sangham announced that it would burn government circulars related to the project in villages on June 16 and 17, and said a meeting of the anti-hydro project committee would be held in Araku on June 25.

Responding to the protest, ASR District Collector T. Nishanthi said that the administration had already issued directions to ensure coordination, prior intimation and community consultation before any survey or field activity undertaken in sensitive areas. She said that the concerns raised by villagers would be examined and formally brought to the notice of the government. All activities would conform to applicable laws and policies, keeping in mind the interests of local communities and the special status of Scheduled Areas. She urged the people not to believe rumours and said the district administration remained committed to transparency, continued consultation and the peaceful resolution of issues. Joint Collector Tirumani Sri Pooja, ITDA Project Officer Aditya Varma and other officials were present when the villagers submitted their representations.