The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Sunday accused the Andhra Pradesh government of forcibly acquiring agricultural land in Undavalli for the proposed Seed Access Road project in violation of legal procedures and alleged that the exercise amounted to contempt of court as the matter was pending before the High Court.Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office, the party’s Legal Cell president, M. Manohar Reddy, alleged that the authorities deployed a large police force and bulldozers to take possession of fertile agricultural land, damaging standing jowar and banana crops. He claimed that the affected farmers were neither informed about the compensation nor provided copies of the award, and described the acquisition as an attack on the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers.Mr. Reddy alleged that the government proceeded with the acquisition even as a writ petition challenging the notifications and award proceedings was pending before the High Court. The petition, he said, alleged violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, including the absence of a proper preliminary survey, failure to revise market values and inadequate rehabilitation measures.According to Mr. Reddy, the High Court had directed that any award would be subject to the final outcome of the case and posted the matter for further hearing on July 31.He further alleged that the compensation offered to the farmers was significantly below the prevailing market value and questioned the government’s urgency in taking possession of the land before the court completed its hearing.Mr. Reddy demanded that the government immediately halt the acquisition, pay compensation for the damaged crops, initiate action against officials allegedly responsible for excesses during the exercise, and disclose details of land purchases in Undavalli, Penumaka and Nidamarru by TDP leaders and their alleged benamis. He said the YSRCP Legal Cell would extend legal assistance to the affected farmers. Published - July 12, 2026 08:22 pm IST