Elderly couple lifted in excavator bucket during Bhogapuram airport road protest in Andhra Pradesh

Vizianagaram: An elderly couple, who sat in an excavator’s bucket to protest land acquisition for the Bhogapuram international airport’s approach road on Friday, was allegedly lifted by the driver of the heavy vehicle and moved aside, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters.

A video of the incident, which many have described as "inhuman and shocking”, has gone viral on social media. The couple — Baireddy Appala Narasaiah (75) and his wife — along with other farmers staged a sit-in protest against revenue officials, at Baireddypalem in Bhogapuram mandal in the district.

In an attempt to stall the road works, Narasaiah and his wife climbed into the excavator bucket. Its operator allegedly lifted the digging arm while they were still seated in the bucket and moved them aside, leaving the couple frightened and humiliated.

Visuals of the incident sparked anger among local residents and farmers, who accused the authorities and contractors of using intimidation tactics against vulnerable villagers. According to sources, revenue authorities have been laying a half-km approach road to the airport from Baireddypalem, for which they acquired land from more than 10 farmers. Around five farmers approached the court, alleging that they did not receive any compensation.

Locals demanded an immediate inquiry into the incident, strict action against those responsible, and fair compensation for the affected farmers. Mandal tahesildar Hari told reporters that officials have already deposited the compensation in court, and that the farmers would receive it after June 15.