Curfew in Miyapur, Chandanagar after 2,000 people tried to occupy government land

Hyderabad: In view of the prevailing law and order situation after thousands attempted to seize government land in Miyapur on Saturday, the Cyberabad Police on Sunday imposed Sec 144 in Miyapur and Chandanagar police station limits with an intention to prevent danger to human life and safety.

On Saturday, tension erupted when nearly 2,000 people attempted to occupy around 525 acres of government land at HMT road and erect Pucca houses in survey numbers 100 and 101 in Miyapur and Prasanthi Nagar under Serilingampally constituency. Huge number of people reportedly gathered after a WhatsApp message claimed that "Those wanted land or 2 BHK houses, promised during the previous BRS regime, could visit Miyapur and claim it."

With the situation going out of control, the police resorted to a lathi charge to restore normalcy at the place. However, the people in return pelted stones at the police and the entire locality turned into a battlefield.

Keeping in view of the situation, the Cyberabad police impose Sec 144 to prevent disturbance of public tranquillity and to prevent the occurrence of riot or an affray or obstruction to any person. Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty inspected the site and enforced the restrictions in the exercise of powers vested in me under section 144 do hereby order the following:

- Prohibit any gathering of 5 or more persons in the areas specified therein.

- Prohibit people who do not ordinarily reside in the area or do not ordinarily have work in the area from entering the limits of the area.

The order will be in force from 6 am on June 23 till 11 am on June 29 in the limits of Miyapur and Chandanagar police stations of Cyberabad Police Commissionerate.

On-duty personnel such as police officers, military personnel, home guards are exempted from the operation of this order. Funeral processions and marriage functions are also exempted.

The public is hereby informed that any person violating the above orders shall be liable for prosecution.

Why did trespassers try to encroach on land?

Earlier, the State government had handed over the 525 acres of land to HMDA as Aveque lands as several of the people left to Pakistan during the bifurcation of the country. As many as 32 persons approached the court earlier claiming their ownership. The verdict came in favour of the State government in local courts and the High Court. With this, a few people approached the Supreme Court for justice.

Sources said that the land rate per sq yard stood around Rs 1 lakh due to this several politicians and encroachers are planning to grab the land despite the case in the Supreme Court. Around 50 acres of land out of a total of 525 acres were encroached, the sources added.