Neglect, Tragedy in Chinnonipally: A Village Sacrificed for Political Expediency

Gadwal:In flooded village Chinnonipalli, poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions are entering the houses as the water surrounds them. Recently, a boy named Mallesh, son of Vadde Badesab, was bitten by a scorpion after two people were stung this morning. This news shocked the villagers. Snakes are coming out of the pits in the fields and entering the houses. The villagers are angry that they are fighting with death every day. They complain that their lives are being sacrificed for the selfish interests of political leaders.

Some of the villagers packed their belongings and left the village for refuge in nearby villages. Despite the ongoing crisis, the authorities remain apathetic, like a Roman emperor fiddling while Rome burns. Politicians are more focused on asserting their dominance than solving problems, especially regarding the unregulated reservoir. Unable to satisfy the farmers and the political leaders, the authorities fell into a dilemma.

It is tragic that elected leaders in a democracy are supposed to serve the people but they forget their duty and show their arrogance towards the people. Ignoring the plight of a flooded village, especially telling the villagers to fend for themselves, is grossly unfair. In 2005, a conspiracy was hatched to divert Krishna waters from Telangana to Rayalaseema, and Chinnonipalli reservoir was constructed without proper irrigation plans. Even after almost 19 years, the reservoir is incomplete and the displaced farmers are cultivating in their lands.

The previous BRS government also tried to evict displaced farmers using police force, but failed. The villagers vowed that they would not leave their land without proper compensation, even at the cost of their lives. They have been protesting for about 452 days demanding compensation. However, the problem became unsolved due to the indifference of the then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s government. Although today’s Congress leaders supported these protests in the past, now they are turning a blind eye. The villagers are unable to move the leaders despite their cries.

Therefore, the villagers of Chinnonipalli are demanding that the current government led by Revanth Reddy, who claims to be a farmer-biased government, should set up an expert committee on the issue of Chinnonipalli Reservoir and investigate and do justice to the farmers.

### Analysis Report:

The situation in Chinnonipalli village highlights the dire consequences of governance failure and political neglect. Currently, the village is surrounded by flood water.. There is a serious threat from poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions that have entered the houses. The death of a young man after being bitten by a scorpion indicates immediate dangers to the locals. The incident caused widespread distress among the villagers, who felt abandoned and betrayed by their leaders.

The root cause of the problem appears to be the incomplete Chinnonipalli Reservoir project, launched in 2005 with the controversial aim of diverting Krishna waters from Telangana to Rayalaseema. The project was initiated without proper irrigation planning or consideration of the long-term effects on the local population. Even after almost two decades, the displaced farmers are in a state of disorientation as the reservoir remains incomplete. A situation has arisen where they have to cultivate their lands without any compensation or support from the government.

The frustration of the villagers is intensifying due to the indifference of politicians and officials who have failed to solve the problem effectively. The previous BRS government tried to forcibly evict displaced farmers, but faced resistance as villagers refused to leave without adequate compensation. Despite long protests, their demands were ignored and they continued their struggle in plain sight.

In the current situation, the government needs to intervene immediately. The villagers are demanding that an expert committee should be set up to investigate the issue of Chinnonipalli reservoir. Such a committee should assess the impact of the project on the local population, the reasons for its long delay and the measures required to complete the project to ensure justice to the affected farmers.

Furthermore, this situation reminds us of the importance of responsible governance. Elected leaders have a duty to prioritize the welfare of the people they serve. Ignoring the needs and safety of vulnerable communities, especially in times of crisis, is an abdication of this duty. The Chinnonipalli case illustrates the devastating consequences of prioritizing political interests over the lives and well-being of ordinary citizens.

In conclusion, the government should take immediate steps to solve the problems of Chinnonipalli villagers. This includes completing the reservoir project with proper safeguards, providing adequate compensation to displaced farmers and ensuring that such negligence is not repeated in the future. Only by taking decisive and compassionate action can the government restore public confidence and fulfill its mandate to serve the people.