Protests Erupt in Hyderabad Over Demolition Drive by MLAs
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Synopsis
On January 22, a demolition drive in Kharitabad, Hyderabad, led to strong protests by Congress and AIMIM MLAs. Danam Nagender and Majid Hussain voiced their concerns about the impact on locals and threatened further action against municipal officials.
Key Takeaways
- Hyderabad demolition protests led by Congress and AIMIM MLAs.
- MLA Danam Nagender criticized municipal officials.
- Protests highlight the impact on poor communities.
- Calls for suspension of demolition until CM’s return.
- Past interventions by Nagender against similar actions.
Hyderabad, Jan 22 (NationPress) The demolition of unauthorized structures in the Kharitabad area of Hyderabad sparked significant protests from two MLAs representing the Congress party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
Khairatabad MLA and former minister Danam Nagender voiced his discontent towards municipal officials for demolishing unauthorized buildings in Chintal Basti near Shadan College.
The MLA, who transitioned to the ruling Congress party from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) last year, hurried to the site upon learning about the demolition of structures on footpaths and attempted to halt the process.
He contacted municipal officials via phone, reprimanding them for proceeding with demolitions in his constituency without prior notification. He also urged the officials to pause until Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy returns from his trip abroad.
Nagender even threatened to orchestrate a sit-in in front of a bulldozer if the officials persisted with the demolition. He cautioned that this could result in law and order disturbances.
The MLA further conveyed to the officials that their actions were tarnishing the image of the Congress government and jeopardizing the livelihoods of many impoverished individuals.
AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain along with his supporters also arrived at the scene and initiated a protest, sitting on the road and demanding that officials cease the demolition.
Officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad traffic police dismantled roadside structures that were hindering the smooth flow of traffic on Chintal Basti Road, which connects Khairatabad with Banjara Hills Road No 2.
This is not the first instance where Nagender has intervened to halt demolition efforts. In September of the previous year, he lodged a vigorous protest against demolitions conducted by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA).
Nagender criticized the manner in which the poor and middle-class citizens faced hardship and were driven into despair.
He also insisted that the underprivileged residing in ‘basthis’ should be spared from such actions. The MLA, along with two others, was charged by police for inciting locals to dismantle the fencing around government-owned land.
