Collector attacked as hearing on land acquisition for pharma turns violent in Vikarabad

Vikarabad: Tension prevailed in Lagacharla village of Dudyala mandal, Vikarabad district, on Monday as furious villagers attacked Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain and Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) Special Officer Venkat Reddy while protesting against the acquisition of their lands for a proposed 'pharma village'.

The administration is facing protests from farmers and locals over the proposed pharma company. The situation escalated when the high-ranking officials visited the village to hold a public hearing on the land acquisition issue.

The protesters resorted to heated arguments with the District Collector Prateek Jain and accompanying officials Special Officer Venkat Reddy, Additional Collector Linganayak, and Sub Collector Umashankar Prasad. Subsequently, the villagers armed with stones and sticks attacked the officials and started throwing stones at their vehicles. Three vehicles were damaged in the clash. The mob followed the District Collector and other officials while they were fleeing the village.

Fearing the loss of their agricultural land and potential environmental consequences, the farmers and locals refused to allow the establishment of a pharma company on their land. The officials tried to address the locals' concerns. However, they remained resolute and emphasized their unwillingness to surrender their land for industrial development. Following the violent incident, a large police force was deployed to restore the law and order in the village.