Khammam Bhoodan lands: Human rights lawyer Rama Rao’s complaint to NHRC

Human rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni has approached the National Human Rights Commission seeking action over the alleged illegal eviction of families from Bhoodan lands in Khammam. He has demanded compensation, inquiry, and strict action against responsible officials

Khammam: Noted human rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni of Hyderabad has knocked on the doors of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking justice for the displaced residents of Vinoba Navodaya Colony in the Velugumatla area in Khammam.

In his complaint lodged on Friday, he requested the NHRC to direct the Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao to take action against Collector Anudeep Durishetty, Additional Collector P Srinivas Reddy, and other officials who allegedly carried out demolition, unlawful arrests, issued threats, and caused damage to poor families.

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Rama Rao also requested that a compensation of Rs 25 lakh be paid to the affected families. In connection with survey numbers 147, 148, and 149 of Velugumatla village, the Telangana High Court had earlier imposed status quo on Bhoodan lands.

He said the primary purpose of the Bhoodan movement was to provide land for the poor. There was no ban on lands where the poor had built houses. If there were objections, the High Court had earlier ordered a committee to be formed with the Chief Secretary, a retired judge, and the CCLA Commissioner under RC No. DCO/E/OTHE/0082/2025, but the court orders were ignored.

Though the courts have expressly prohibited removal or any coercive steps, authorities have forcibly evicted about 600 families without any notice, throwing them onto the roads. He said the value of lands near the disputed area close to the collectorate had witnessed a sharp increase.

Some real estate traders, who were close associates of a district minister, wanted to develop their lands into real estate ventures and exploit their full financial potential. Hence, they reportedly put pressure on the minister to ensure eviction of residents from Bhoodan lands, Rama Rao said.