Protests overshadow PM Modi’s visit to Visakhapatnam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, intended to highlight Rs 2 lakh crore worth of development projects, was overshadowed by widespread protests demanding the protection of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) from privatisation.
Activists of the CPM and the CPI spearheaded demonstrations across the city, demanding that the Prime Minister publicly guarantee that the VSP would remain a public sector undertaking. Protesters allege that the Central government, led by the BJP, has deliberately withheld the allocation of captive mines to the plant, contributing to its current financial struggles.
One of the most significant demonstrations took place at Maddilapalem Junction, where CPM, CPI members, and numerous women activists wearing black bands briefly disrupted traffic. The protesters staged a sit-in, chanting slogans and demanding immediate government action to safeguard the VSP. The situation escalated, prompting intervention from women police officers who detained the protesters and transported them in buses designated for attendees of the Prime Minister’s public meeting. Even while detained on the buses, the protesters continued their demonstrations.
Authorities had taken pre-emptive measures to minimise disruptions, placing leaders from various political parties who had pledged to oppose PM Modi’s roadshow and public meeting under house arrest starting Tuesday evening. This move aimed to prevent them from participating in the planned protests.
The protests highlight the escalating public concern surrounding the potential privatisation of the VSP. The steel plant is considered a vital component of the region’s economy and a symbol of local identity, making its future a highly sensitive issue. The demonstrations served as a stark reminder of the strong opposition the government faces regarding its plans for the VSP.