The Andhra Pradesh police have refused permission to the proposed “padayatra” by the farmers of Amaravati under the auspices of Joint Action Committee from Amaravati to Tirupati starting from November 1 to December 17 to highlight the demand for continuing the capital city at Amaravati.
Director General of Police Gautam Sawang wrote a letter to Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi secretary Gadde Tirupati Rao to this effect on Thursday. He said the padayatra would result in law and order issues in the state and hence, the permission is denied.
“We are refusing permission in the larger interests of the people. The government has already taken a decision on three capitals and so, there is no point in taking out padayatra demanding the capital at Amaravati,” the DGP said.
It may be mentioned that the high court on Monday directed the DGP to take a decision within three days on the representation given by capital region farmers seeking permission for going on ‘padayatra’ to Tirumala.
The farmers from the capital region moved the high court challenging the inaction of the police in granting permission to their padayatra. As the farmers intend to start their padayatra on November 1, he sought directions to the police to take a decision soon.
Farmers who gave their lands for the capital Amaravati have been opposing the YSRC government’s decision to trifurcate the capital. They have been protesting the decision since December 2019 and have now announced a ‘mahapadyatra’.
The Padayatra is supposed to begin from Tullur, a prominent village in the Amaravati area on November 1. The yatra would be held for 45 days and would end at Tirupati.
The yatra would cover over 400 kilo meters. Politicians, farmers, farm labourers, civil society leaders and others would undertake the padayatra to Tirupati.
