Police Detain BJP Legislators en Route to Hyderabad University

Hyderabad, April 1 (NationPress) Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were apprehended by law enforcement on Tuesday while en route to the University of Hyderabad, where students are demonstrating against the Telangana government's intentions to auction 400 acres of land adjacent to their campus.

The police intercepted the BJP MLAs and MLCs at MLA Quarters in Hyderguda, citing a lack of authorization for their campus visit. As the BJP legislators attempted to advance towards the university, the authorities detained them and took them away.

They asserted that their demonstration would persist until the government rescinded its plans to develop and auction the land. BJP leader Payal Shankar accused the Congress administration of continuing the policies of the previous BRS government.

BJP floor leader in the Telangana Assembly, A. Maheshwar Reddy, was placed under house arrest to prevent him from participating in the protest at the university. Police were stationed outside Maheshwar Reddy's residence in Banjara Hills.

BJP leaders claimed that the government is harming the environment by auctioning the land in Kacnha Gachibowli, asserting that this land falls under the jurisdiction of the forest department.

The student faction of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), known as BRSV, organized a protest at KBR Park against the proposed land auction. Demonstrators carried placards with messages advocating for environmental protection.

Student organizations and environmental advocates are opposing the government's decision to clear the land for the establishment of multi-use infrastructure and IT parks.

Opposition parties have denounced police brutality towards students protesting against the land auction proposal, alleging that police forcefully dragged protesting students and physically assaulted them.

Protesters claimed that authorities brought in bulldozers and earthmovers as part of the redevelopment initiative for the land adjacent to the campus.

The protest on Sunday incited unrest, leading to the detention of over 50 students. Two individuals, identified as B. Rohit Kumar and Erram Naveen Kumar, were arrested and placed in judicial custody.

According to police reports, the protesters attempted to obstruct work by force and assaulted officials and workers with sticks and stones, resulting in minor injuries to a police officer.

Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC) filed a complaint with the Gachibowli police, which initiated a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Meanwhile, law enforcement has urged students to disregard misinformation circulating on social media. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dr. Vineet stated that TGIIC commenced development work on the land at Kancha Gachibowli village, in accordance with the Government Order. “There was no lathi charge on the students, nor were any students forcibly removed from their hostels as claimed,” he asserted.

“Students are encouraged to disregard misleading and false news and resolve any issues through official communication channels. Anyone disrupting public order will face legal consequences,” he added.

Groups opposing the auction contend that it would obliterate a crucial green space within the city. The 'Save City Forests' coalition argues that the forest serves as the “green lungs” of Hyderabad. They maintain that since 1974, this area has been a vital component of the UoH campus, evolving into a self-sustaining and biodiverse ecosystem that mirrors indigenous forest ecology.

According to the group, the land is home to over 734 species of flowering plants, 10 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and 220 species of birds.

The government contended that its objective is to stimulate investment within the state and that the land is unrelated to the university.