Residents of Pydimamba colony, who have been allotted units in a weaker section housing project held a dharna under the banner of POW and Slum Dwellers Welfare Union in front of the Collector's bungalow here on Thursday.
There was a standoff between the Collector and leaders of the organisations when the latter reportedly behaved in a rude manner and the official, upset over their behaviour, refused to listen to the delegation. The leaders alleged that they were forcibly removed from the bungalow premises as they were trying to explain the issue. The Collector said there was no need to organise a dharna (which was organised in front of the Collectorate on Wednesday) with a large number of people when an issue could be explained by a few people.
The dharna was called off after the POW and Slum Dwellers Welfare Union leaders told the participants that the Collector had agreed to visit the colony and find ways to solve their problem. The slum dwellers alleged that officials of the AP Housing Corporation colluded with encroachers and did not resume work on the housing project in spite of a civil court and an Additional District Court turning down petitions filed by the Railways claiming that the housing project site belonged to it.
