Internet Shutdown in Telangana After Attack on Officials: 57 Detained

Clashes in Vikarabad Over Land Acquisition for Pharma Village

A violent confrontation erupted in Lagacharla village, Dudyala mandal, Vikarabad district, when farmers clashed with government officials over the proposed acquisition of land for a pharmaceutical industrial zone. The incident occurred on November 11, 2024, during a public hearing about the proposed pharma unit project.

Incident Details:

• Attacked Officials: Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain, Additional Collector G Lingya Naik, and Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) Chairman Venkat Reddy were attacked by a mob.
• Injuries: Three officials sustained injuries, including a woman attempting to slap the collector. Venkat Reddy was severely beaten with fists and sticks and is currently undergoing treatment in Hyderabad.
• Pre-Planned Attack: Police believe the attack was pre-planned, with B Suresh Raj, a BRS youth wing leader, luring the officials away and coordinating the attack.

Response and Reactions:

• Arrests: A total of 55 individuals were taken into custody for their involvement in the attack.
• Internet Shutdown: Internet services have been suspended in Dudyala, Kodangal, and Bomraspet mandals to maintain peace.
• Political Tension: The incident has sparked political tensions, with Congress party supporters and BRS leaders trading accusations. BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao condemned the arrests and demanded release of the arrested accused, criticizing the heavy police deployment.

Investigation and Security Measures:

• FIRs Registered: Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident.
• Special Teams: Four special teams have been formed to investigate the matter.
• Additional Deployment: Additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain order and control the situation.

Reactions from Government Employees:

• Pen Down Strike: Vikarabad district officials staged a pen-down strike in protest against the attack on their colleagues.
• Government Employees Support: Many government employees across the state have shown solidarity with their Vikarabad counterparts by wearing black badges.

The state government has proposed acquiring 1,350 acres of land for the pharma units, mostly from farmers in Hakimpet, Polepally, and Lagcherla. This aggressive land acquisition has led to strong opposition from local farmers, who claim to be protecting their livelihood[4][5].

The investigation continues with police analyzing video footage and other technical details to identify those involved in the attack. The authorities have assured strict action against those who instigated and participated in the violent clash[3][5].