The AP State government has extended the time limit for land acquisition process till 29th of this month as nine villages in the capital zone of Thullur mandal are not willing to handover their lands to the government. Villagers of Penumaka and Undavalli have staged a day-long hunger strike in their agricultural fields on Saturday to convey their message to the state government.

Donti Balaji Reddy, farmers’ leader from Undavalli village told the media that they are consulting lawyers to fight with the state government in the courts. Noted lawyer and former Congress MP Undavalli Arun Kumar, who recently visited them has promised them to fight for their cause in the courts.

The people living in the nine villages are also in touch with opposition parties. They are planning to conduct an all-party meeting on February 19th to garner political support for their fight. All other political parties including left parties and except BJP are planning to attend this all-party meeting on 19th. YSR Congress party that is firmly opposing the fertile lands acquisition, owes to fight with the state government in the courts on behalf of the farmers.

So, the AP government has to pass this acid test before going ahead with its plans for capital city construction. However, minister Prattipati Pulla Rao expressed full confidence to compele the land acqusition process before this month end.