Kancha Gachibowli land: University of Hyderabad students launch relay hunger strike

Despite the High Court order on Wednesday directing the State government to stop the works in Kancha Gachibowli for a day, students claimed that works continued all through the Wednesday night and on Thursday morning as well

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) students who have been vehemently protesting against the destruction and auction of biodiversity rich land in Kancha Gachibowli by the State government have now launched relay hunger strike here on Thursday.

Around 20 students, including UoH Students Union general secretary Nihad Sulaiman, sat on relay hunger strike at the university north gate demanding immediate cessation of forest destruction and removal of bulldozers from the university campus. They also demanded withdrawal of the large contingent of police personnel deployed at the university east campus.

---

Despite the High Court order on Wednesday directing the State government to stop the works in Kancha Gachibowli for a day, students claimed that works continued all through the Wednesday night and on Thursday morning as well.

The students belonging to ABVP UoH unit are also continuing their protest at the university main gate. They have also been demanding the government stop the deforestation and revoke the decision to auction the land.

Earlier, the University Students Union called for boycott of classes and announced indefinite protest against the State government’s decision to destruct the forested land in Kancha Gachibowli and auction it for generating revenue.

The University of Hyderabad Teachers Association also joined the protests in solidarity with students. On Wednesday several students were caned by police as they tried to enter the university campus where trees removal and land levelling works were underway.