Duppitur villagers protest SEZ, seek fair compensation

At a village meeting attended by elders local residents, speakers expressed strong resentment over what they described as “incomplete rehabilitation and denial of basic amenities

Metro India News | ANAKAPALLE

Tensions prevailed in Duppitur village in Anakapalle district after efforts to construct a boundary wall around the village, under the Brandix Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project implemented by APIIC, triggered protests from local residents.

Villagers, many of whom belong to BC and SC communities and had earlier parted with their land for the project, alleged that the move to enclose the village without completing proper rehabilitation amounted to coercion. They have launched an agitation opposing the wall construction and the proposed closure of access routes.

At a village meeting attended by elders local residents, speakers expressed strong resentment over what they described as “incomplete rehabilitation and denial of basic amenities.” They further alleged that most of the affected land-losers belong to BC and SC communities, and that they are facing discrimination in the rehabilitation process. Villagers raised key concerns about lack of proper rehabilitation, no assured livelihood support and closure of access routes.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, retired IPS officer and National Coordinator AIBSP, questioned the long-term outcomes of land acquisition. He pointed out that while industries generate profits for decades, displaced farmers face economic decline within a few years. Referring to Supreme Court judgments, Dr. Rao said land rights are intrinsically linked to the right to livelihood under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Speakers highlighted that in villages like Duppitur Farmers are turning into wage laborers, youth are migrating in search of work while the same time, industries established on acquired land continue to generate substantial profits.

He referred to examples such as land pooling in Amaravati and revenue-sharing arrangements in Canada arguing that long-term benefit-sharing mechanisms must be adopted in India as well. Villagers warned that their agitation would continue until justice is ensured, reiterating their demand for profit-sharing, fair rehabilitation, and livelihood security.