Tensions escalated in Anandapuram mandal on Monday as police detained CPM leader and former GVMC corporator B. Ganga Rao and Bheemili zone CPM secretary R.S.N. Murthy, preventing them from attending a meeting convened by farmers affected by the proposed Google Data Centre project in Tarluvada village.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. when the leaders were intercepted by police personnel near Tarluvada, leading to their subsequent transport to the Anandapuram Police Station, where they remain in detention. Following the arrest of the leaders, affected farmers staged a protest in front of the police station, condemning the police action.

The meeting, organised by the displaced farmers, was intended to discuss the alleged failure of the State government to honour compensation commitments related to the land acquired for the Google Data Centre project.

According to the farmers and CPM representatives, the State government has yet to fulfill promises made to 520 affected farmers, specifically regarding the allotment of 3-cent plots of land as rehabilitation.

B. Ganga Rao, prior to his detention, stated that the government has failed to provide promised compensation to 56 Dalit families, which included 20-cent land allotments, the construction of commercial complexes, and guaranteed employment for family members. Furthermore, farmers alleged that six Dalit families have been denied full compensation for their land, while owners of ‘jirayati’ (cultivable) lands claim their standing crops were destroyed without any formal compensation agreement.

The CPM has vehemently condemned what they termed as the 'illegal detention' of their leaders, accusing the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led alliance government of prioritising the interests of large corporations like Google and Adani over the livelihoods of local farmers.