4 days ago
CPM protests demolition of Satavahana College
Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday spearheaded a protest and dharna programme here, condemning the demolition of Satavahana College. Women, students, and youth actively participated in thedemonstration, raising slogans to protect Satavahana College and its valuable land. The protest stemmed from the late-night demolition of the college building by bulldozers. When CPM leaders attempted to inspect the site, they were reportedly obstructed by police, who denied them entry, citing lack of permission.
Protesters escalated their actions by climbing the gates and tearing down banners erected by private individuals, creating a tense atmosphere. Addressing the gathering, CPM State secretariat member Ch Baburao and State committee member Donepudi Kasinadh criticised the demolition. 'We have never witnessed such an incident in Vijayawada's history, where college buildings are brought down by bulldozers in the dead of night, right in the heart of the state capital, surrounded by ministerial offices and the Chief Minister's residence,' stated Baburao. He further alleged that the government has turned a blind eye while encroachers, with apparent government backing, have illegally seized the nearly 55-year-old Satavahana College which has the assets worth Rs 200 crore. 'Initially, former TDP MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad was accused, and the government machinery remained passive. Now, another party has demolished the college in the dead of night,' he said.
Baburao raised concerns about the future of students and faculty. The CPM leaders reiterated that the land is under Urban Land Ceiling, meaning it does not belong to private owners. Therefore, the CPM demanded the government to immediately take possession of the college run it as a government college. The CPM leaders accused all involved parties of colluding to plunder the college and its land.
CPM State committee member K Sridevi, city secretaries B Ramana Rao and Boya Satyababu, P Krishna, and city leaders T Praveen, Vishnu, Korada Ramana, Chandrashekar, Suribabu, Peeru, Jhansi, Nageswara Rao, Asha, and others participated.
