Fireworks at public hearing

Villagers oppose establishment of drug company in district

MEDAK, Telangana,19/11/2014:People gathered of Masanipally vill thogutta Mnadal appossing to the Pharma Comp on Hering at Masanipally village in Medak. ----PHOTO:Mohd Arif

It was pandemonium at the public hearing pertaining to the proposed establishment of a drug company in the district with the villagers opposing the proposal stoutly. They broke chairs and pulled down the tent and set fire to it, forcing the police to intervene and douse the flames.

The villagers also tried to obstruct Joint Collector A. Sarath from getting on to the dais. They raised slogans against Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and the State government. A factory representative was beaten up by the agitators and police rushed in and rescued him.

Strong protest

More than a thousand people from Peddamasanpally, Sirsingandla and other villages arrived at the spot sporting black badges. Holding placards with slogans “We do not want factory which pollutes our lands and “We want to retain our lands,” the villagers gave vent to their fears.

A large number of women, children and students gathered at the place of the public hearing on the outskirts opposing the establishment of the proposed drug unit.

Sixty-five-year-old Mallaiah said; “Farmers sold lands thinking they would be cultivated but we were not aware that a factory would be established there.” The villagers fear that it would pollute lands and tanks and make their lives miserable.

Although a huge police force was mobilised from across the district at the site, they were instructed not to react even if the agitators hurled stones. They were instructed to provide protection to officials participating in the hearing. Hence the police remained mute spectators to the mayhem.

In about half an hour the hearing was completed and the Joint Collector announced that it was over. At this point some of agitators attacked the factory representative.

Those who spoke at the hearing unanimously opposed the establishment of the factory. Some sarpanches submitted memoranda passed by gram panchayats in this regard.

A private drug company -- Honour Estates Private Ltd -- has proposed establishment of a cluster of 12 industries in about 324 acres land, which was acquired long ago.