ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

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Kakarapalli: Another Blot on India's Democratic Systems

Commentary
Vol. 46, Issue No. 11, 12 Mar, 2011
E A S Sarma

Two people were killed in police firing on 28 February in Kakarapalli in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh when they were protesting against the location of a 2,64o mega watt power plant in a wetland that provides livelihood for fishing and salt-producing communities and that in law should not have been diverted to industrial use. The story of Kakarapalli is a familiar one: rules are twisted to suit corporate interests, government officials ignore the law and the concerns of local people are given short shrift. How many more Kakarapallis have to happen before the State realises where its responsibilities actually lie?

shot at the villages by the police. Hundreds of villagers, including an 80-year-old frail looking woman, were incarcerated for “attempting to murder”. Those who were really attempting to murder the democratic traditions of our society have got away! K akarapalli is a small village in Santhabommali mandal of Srika - kulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Kakarapalli swamp is a part of the larger and well-known famous Naupada swamp, a unique wetland system, known for its rich biodiversity that supports thousands of livelihoods. While Naupada has been known for ages as the salt capital of the east coast, the swamp is a source of livelihood for traditional shing communities who have exercised shing rights therein for generations.

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