The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has become the center of intensifying protests as student groups, environmental activists and opposition parties rally against Telangana government’s move to clear 400 acres of land adjacent to the campus for auction. The protests escalated on Tuesday with students announcing an indefinite demonstration and vowing to boycott classes until their concerns are addressed.
Land Ownership Row
Telangana government has maintained that the land in Kancha Gachibowli where tree-felling and clearing operations are underway, belongs to the state and not the university. However, the UoH administration has countered this claim, stating that the land’s boundaries were previously finalised, contradicting the government’s stance.
Amid the growing unrest, Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) asserted that it had legally established ownership of the land in court, warning that any disputes raised against its claims could amount to contempt of court, as per a report on PTI.
Hyderabad University Students Protest
The protests first erupted on Sunday when students and activists noticed police deployment and earthmoving equipment at the site. More than 50 students were detained and later released. Police reported that when TGIIC began development work on March 30, a group of people, including UoH students, attempted to stop the project, leading to clashes in which officials and workers were allegedly attacked with sticks and stones.
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.
Environmental Concerns, Legal Action
Student organisations and environmental activists argue that clearing the Kancha Gachibowli Forest (KGF) will have severe ecological consequences. A report by researcher Arun Vasireddy on KGF’s ecological heritage warns that deforestation in the area could increase local temperatures by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius, worsening environmental conditions in Gachibowli and its surroundings, reported Telangana Today.
Meanwhile, Telangana High Court is set to hear two public interest litigations (PILs) on Wednesday challenging the government’s actions. Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul has assured petitioners that their pleas seeking protection for the disputed land will be addressed urgently, as per a report on Times of India.
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