1. The gist of the case is as follows:-

1.(a) The petitioners are small farmers. They claim that they own and possess agricultural lands in Survey Nos.79, 80 and 81 of Mallavaram, Georgepeta, Polekurru and Tallarevu Villages, Tallarevu Mandal in East Godavari District. It is also alleged by them either that they belong to them by way of purchase through various sale deeds or by way of inheritance from their ancestors and they have been in possession for a long time. In certain portions of the lands the petitioners are doing prawn culture. The Government of Pondicherry (Presently Puducherry) describing them that they are none other than the encroachers of the lands which are within the territory of Pondicherry, issued notices to them under Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised) Occupants Act, 1971, (hereinafter referred to as "Act"). The petitioners preferred objections for the Estate Officers consideration. After considering the materials on record, an earlier Estate Officer on 12. 1978, passed orders of eviction. The lands were required for Government for assigning them to defence personnel.

1.(b) Aggrieved by the above said orders so