The Coordination Committee of Naya Qila Farmers, Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) and heritage activists on Thursday sought immediate restoration of access to lands of the farmers of Naya Qila till negotiations were completed and alternative land was provided to them.
Speaking to presspersons, they described as ‘unilateral’ the dispossession of Naya Qila farmers from their 52 acre land by the Revenue and Tourism Departments while negotiations were going on for alternative lands.
‘Rampant illegalities’
The government and Hyderabad Golf Association were indulging in ‘rampant illegalities’ and causing destruction of water bodies such as Shatam Cheruvu and Jamali Kunta apart from destruction of heritage of Naya Qila-Golconda Fort, they alleged.
Ilyas Khan of Coordination Committee of Naya Qila Farmers said this ancestral land was cared, protected and cultivated for centuries, but now truck loads of sand was being brought in and dumped after they were prevented access to the land. S. Chakri of SOUL said the entire area was closed down and farmers were being denied access.
Violation
Jasveen Jairath alleged that in violation of court orders, the works were continuing that caused damage to water bodies, heritage and archaeological aspects here.