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Irate farmers chase away Vikarabad collector, officials over planned pharma project

Local farmers clashed with Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain and Kodangal Development Authority official Venkat Reddy during a public hearing at Lagicherla about a proposed pharma project

South First Desk

Published Nov 11, 2024 | 8:48 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 11, 2024 | 8:48 PM

Violence erupts in Dudyala Mandal as farmers clash with officials

Violence erupts in Dudyala Mandal as farmers clash with officials

A section of farmers in Vikarabad’s Dudyala Mandal chased away district officials, including Collector Prateek Jain, over a proposed pharma project, on Monday, 11 November.

Though reports said the agitated farmers attacked the officials, Jain later said they were not attacked.

The public hearing organised at Lagicherla was intended to gather feedback from farmers in the district regarding the establishment of the pharmaceutical facility.

Fearing for their land and livelihoods, farmers from Dudyala Mandal stayed away from the hearing,

Also Read: Telangana’s pharma hub promise

Collector met with “Go back” chants

Collector Jain was greeted with “go back” slogans when he arrived at the village to convince the villagers to participate in the meeting. The situation reportedly deteriorated as the crowd began pelting stones, forcing the officials to retreat.

It was also reported that Kodangal Area Development Authority official Venkat Reddy was manhandled and government vehicles damaged. No injuries were reported.

Reports said there was no police presence at the scene as they were stationed at the location of the public hearing, some distance from the village.

Also Read: Race against time for Telangana caste census

Opposition to Pharma facility 

The incident was the latest in the protests against the planned pharma facility. Farmers have been expressing concerns over the facility’s impact on the environment and economy. 

The facility is part of a broader plan for the establishment of a Pharma City in the area, which has sparked protests from farmers, especially in Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s home constituency of Kodangal.

The situation mirrored similar conflicts in Zaheerabad’s Nyalkal Mandal, where farmers have objected to land acquisition for pharmaceutical projects.

Despite the violence, the state government remained committed to the development of Pharma City, a plan to develop a pharmaceutical hub near Hyderabad. 

Also Read: KCR throws a challenge to Revanth Reddy

Harish Rao alleges conspiracy 

Responding to the incident, BRS MLA T Harish Rao accused Revanth Reddy of neglecting the concerns of farmers, and said the attack on officials reflected widespread anger against the government’s handling of the issue.

“Revanth Reddy is calling for the destruction of green crop fields in the name of Pharma City,” Rao said on X. He also claimed that the proposal for the pharma facility was part of a broader conspiracy to repurpose land for real estate ventures. 

“Farmers are angry with Revanth, and the Collector and government officials are facing the public’s wrath due to his inefficient governance,” he added.

While officials argued that the project would bring economic benefits, many locals remain unconvinced, fearing it would disrupt their traditional farming practices and harm the environment.

Also Read: Alleged scam threatens BRS

Collector unharmed 

The collector’s office told South First that he was not injured. The office refused to divulge more details. 

A video posted on X showed Jain returning to the Collectorate where employees were protesting against the “attack”. 

The collector said the incident was not an attack. “They called us to talk and we went to talk. Some fellows were there who started conspiring. They are our people our farmers, don’t use the word ‘attack’. Investigation will be done,” he said on X.

(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Saicharan Sana and Raj Rayasam) 

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