Kancha Gachibowli protests: Bhatti directs police to withdraw cases

The directions were issued after the three-Minister Committee held a meeting with University of Hyderabad Teachers Association (UHTA) and representatives of different public organizations at Secretariat

Hyderabad: Heeding to the pressure from different sections, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday directed the police to withdraw the cases booked against students of the University of Hyderabad in connection with the Kancha Gachibowli land controversy. The directions were issued after the three-Minister Committee held a meeting with University of Hyderabad Teachers Association (UHTA) and representatives of different public organizations at Secretariat on Monday. Regarding the cases against two students, who were in judicial remand, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the police officials to initiate measures for withdrawing the cases.

“Necessary steps should be taken to ensure there are no legal issues in the withdrawal of cases,” Vikramarka instructed the law department. The three-Member Committee, including IT Minister D Sridhar Babu and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy met with UHTA and public organizations members. However, the Joint Action Committee of the students did not attend the meeting insisting that they would meet the Ministers Committee only after their demands were considered by the government. The UHTA and public society organizations demanded the government to withdraw the police force from the University campus immediately and the prohibitory orders as well.

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They insisted that all the recent cases filed against students involved in the agitation should be withdrawn. They also wanted the two students, who are still under police custody, to be released immediately. The UHTA and public organizations members particularly insisted that as primary stakeholders, expert faculty and researchers should be permitted immediately to conduct a damage assessment and biodiversity survey in the 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli land, before the visit of the Central Empowered Committee to the campus.In response, the Committee of Ministers said the police presence was essential to protect the 400 acres in accordance with the recent Supreme Court orders. The Committee also said the government would write to the University administration to withdraw the police from the rest of the campus. However, this was subject to the assurance of the administration about security of the students and property on the campus, the police will be withdrawn from the campus, except from the 400 acres of land, it said.

“In view of the Supreme Court order to prevent any activities and maintain status quo in the said area, the government would not be able to permit the survey by faculty and students until further Court orders,” the Ministers said.

The Committee further expressed its willingness to visit the campus as requested by the students, but in view of the ongoing Supreme Court case, it said the visit cannot be planned immediately. However, the Committee invited the students for a meeting to hear their concerns and suggestions.

Meanwhile, despite questions being raised by different sections in what capacity Congress leaders were attending government meetings, AICC Telangana incharge Meenakshi Natarajan on Monday participated in the Ministers’ committee’s meeting with University of Hyderabad Teachers Association (UHTA) and representatives of different public organizations at Secretariat. She was accompanied by Congress Working Committee Special Invitee Vamshi Chand Reddy to the meeting.