High security for ministers’ visit

Sompeta (Srikakulam), Oct. 11: Tense moments prevailed in this small town on Monday after police clamped Section 144 to prevent any untoward incidents during the visit of local minister Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao and Minister for Roads and Buildings Mrs Galla Aruna.
Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao visited this area for the first time after the July firing in which three farmers died while protesting against the NCC Super Thermal Project.
In view of the visit of these two ministers, the Pariyavaran Parirakshana Samiti called for bandh on Monday. Heavy security was made with more than a thousand police personnel including a special task force deployed in various strategic points leading to Sompeta. The district superintendent of police (SP), Mr Sanjay Jumar Jain, himself supervised the security arrangements.
About eight deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), 10 circle inspectors, 50 sub-inspectors, armed police and a large number of para military police personnel lay siege to Sompeta and were seen on all the roads leading to this tiny town.
Barbed fencing was also seen on the roads approaching Buragaon, Lakkavaram, Palasapuram, Korlam and Besiramachandrapuram.
The agitation representatives led by Dr Y. Krishnamurthy could not meet the minister as the police foiled all their attempts.
In several places, the farmers tried to stop the minister's convoy but in vain. The frustrated agitators stopped a goods train at Palasapuram level crossing for more than two hours. Later they stopped Howrah Express at Mandasa, Prasanti Express at Summadevi and Inter City Express at Palasa.
“It is unfortunate that Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao who came for the first time after July firing did not respond on the power project,” said Dr Krishnamurthy who has been leading the agitation.