Visakhapatnam: Purushottamapuram, Adivaram, Venkatapuram, Vepagunta, Cheemalapalli—these five villages, collectively known as the Pancha Villages in the combined Visakhapatnam district, grapple with a unique predicament. Despite having extensive land, residents face a peculiar challenge—the absence of ownership. Whether it’s agricultural or residential land, a common issue persists: the absence of proper land titles. Land cultivation is restricted to ryotwari pattas, and the inhabitants cannot legally sell any property due to the villages falling under the jurisdiction of Simhachala Kshetra.
Simhadri Appanna possesses lands in 32 villages spanning Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts. While other areas remain uncontroversial, a land dispute has arisen specifically in these five villages. Concerned about this situation, the residents of the Pancha Villages sought assistance from Nara Lokesh, TDP national general secretary, during his Yuvagalam Padayatra in North Andhra.
Lokesh engaged in individual discussions with the villagers at Paravada Santabayalu in the Pendurthi constituency, attentively listening to their grievances. Following the meeting, Lokesh asserted his full awareness of the challenges faced by the Pancha Villages. He highlighted the widespread impact of the issue, with countless individuals unable to sell their properties for crucial needs such as education, marriages, and medical treatments. The people in these villages find themselves in dire situations, unable even to repair their homes.