The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has intensified its agitation demanding a permanent resolution to the long-pending ‘Pancha Gramalu’ (five villages) land dispute and the immediate issuance of land titles (pattas) to residents of survey No. 275.

As part of a State-wide protest schedule, the CPI(M) Maddilapalem Zone Committee on Sunday took out a ‘padayatra’ from Pedagadhili Junction to Deen Dayalapuram. Party workers distributed pamphlets to households, highlighting the “apathy” of successive governments in resolving the crisis that affects nearly two lakh families residing in the vicinity of the Simhachalam Devasthanam.

Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) district secretariat member R.K.S.V. Kumar recalled that in 2014, the then TDP government, during its first Cabinet meeting held at the Andhra University, had promised to resolve the land issues of the five villages and survey no. 275.

“A decade has passed and three elections concluded, yet the promise remains on paper. Even after the NDA coalition returned to power, there has been no tangible progress,” Mr. Kumar alleged.

Political vote bank

The CPI(M) leader criticised both the TDP and the previous YSRCP governments for treating the residents as a “vote bank.” He noted that residents are currently facing severe hardships, including being denied permission for even minor house repairs and facing “high-handed” tactics from authorities.

“While the government can fast-track 160 acres of land for corporate projects like the Google AI data centre, it remains indifferent to the plight of common citizens who have been living on these lands for decades,” he said.

Public meeting on May 12

The party has announced a massive public meeting at Simhachalam Junction on May 12 (Tuesday) at 4 p.m. CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao will be the chief speaker at the event.

The party leaders have urged the State government to immediately cancel the “illegal” Ryotwari pattas issued in the name of the Devasthanam in 1996-97 and recognise the residents as rightful owners based on the 1903 Gilman Survey.

CPI(M) Maddilapalem zone secretary V. Krishna Rao, and leaders V. Narendra Kumar, P. Sankara Rao, and others participated.