SANGAREDDY: In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Komatibanda in Gajwel mandal of Medak district on August 7, police have stepped up vigil on villages that actively participated in the agitation against land acquisition for Mallannasagar project.
As on Friday, police presence was found on Etigaddakishtapur and Pallepahad roads that are linked to Vemulaghat, the epicentre of the agitation. According to villagers, half-a-dozen police personnel have kept a close watch on those roads. They have also erected a tent at Kukunoorpally to keep track of people going to these villages.
The police have taken control of the law and order situation, imposing restrictions under various laws, throughout the district. Section 30 of the Police Act was already in force in the district for the past several days. This Act is to prevent any agitation from taking place without prior notice.
According to police sources, Section 144 has been in force at Vemulaghat and Erravalli villages. However, police are not intervening in the day-to-day activities of these villages. “We have asked the police not to come to our villages and hence they are stationed outside. We are continuing our agitation and holding meetings to which no one has any objection. The only restriction is that they are not allowing villagers to go out in groups.
Also, those coming to villages are frisked,” said Hayatuddin, a resident of Vemulaghat.
Land oustees in the district are fearing being picked up under preventive grounds in view of the Prime Minister’s visit. The police closely monitored the movement of activists who were in the forefront of the agitation.
“So far, we have not received any instructions to go for preventive arrests. If received, they will be picked up by Saturday night,” said a police officer on condition of anonymity.
