After more than six years of a relay hunger strike, the Sompeta agitation over the controversial thermal power plant in Srikakulam came to an end on Monday after the government assured only eco-friendly projects in the ‘Beela’ area.
The Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) was allotted land in 2008 for setting up 2,640 MW plant. However, fishermen and farmers had been opposing the project on the ground that it will snatch their livelihood.
Environmentalists were also opposing the project as it was coming up on a wetland. Three people were killed in 2010 when police opened fire on agitating fishermen and farmers.
State Labour Minister K.Atchannaidu offered lemon juice to the people who were in the relay hunger strike camp, ending the agitation formally, a report in The Hindu adds.
"We have handed over the lands purchased by the NCC to avoid legal tangles. The company can set up agro-based industries. Locals will also welcome it,” the newspaper quotes him as saying.
The government had earlier announced that they would cancel the allotment of the power plant. However, the locals refused to end their relay hunger strike, which entered the 2094th day, till they saw the Government Order.
The agitation which started in 2009 lasted for 2,166 days continuously even braving two cyclones - Phailin and Hudhud.