The Hyderabad High Court has directed the Visakhapatnam district revenue authorities not to take any coercive steps against fishermen families in Chepala Timmapuram near Bheemunipatnam of Vishakhapatnam district, aimed at evicting them from their residence.
In the name of expansion of Visakhapatnam harbour, they were thrown out from the city limits in 1987. Now, the officers want them to leave the area forever as they want to develop tourism, media reports say.
The court gave this order while hearing a writ petition filed by Visakhapatnam fisher women dry fish cooperative society.
The govt had given them 10 acres of land for housing and fish drying and they have been living and working there since 1987. In July 2016, officials demolished 24 of these houses without notice.
