Probe begins into land grab charges against Eatala Rajender

As a group of farmers from Atchampet and Hakimpet villages in Ramayampet have approached the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao accusing the Health Minister of taking their lands forcibly

Medak: Several teams of the Vigilance and Enforcement wing and the Revenue Department were camping in Achampet and Hakimpet villages to probe into the land grabbing allegations against former Health Minister Eatala Rajendar on Saturday. V&E officials are led by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police Manohar while the revenue officials are led by District Collector S Harish and Additional Collector Ramesh.

The teams spoke to the farmers whose lands were allegedly taken possession of forcibly by Jamuna Hatcheries owned by Rajender. Meanwhile, revenue officials led by Toopran Revenue Divisional Officer Ramprakash had also begun an inquiry, and Collector Harish and Addl Collector Ramesh visited the villages to check progress.

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V&E SP Manohar told reporters that their inquiry could last for two or three more days till they came to a conclusion. Harish told reporters that inquiry is underway and a report would be submitted to the government shortly.

On the allegations of felling trees without obtaining permissions while laying a 2.5-km-long road to Jamuna Hatcheries, Harish said he had instructed forest officials to conduct a detailed inquiry.

Manohar said his teams had interacted with eight to 10 farmers from both villages. Asked about the statements of former Collector K Dharma Reddy and Additional Collector Gaddam Nagesh that they did not yield to the requests of Rajendar to register the lands, Manohar said statements of these officials would also be recorded.

According to sources, Jamuna Hatcheries is primarily facing allegations of purchasing assigned lands which is illegal. The land was given by the then State government in 1994 to poor SC, ST and BC farmers from the village. Jamuna Hatcheries also laid a 2.5-km-long road through the assigned land without permission.

Jamuna Hatcheries reportedly bought a three-acre assigned land in survey number 130 and got it registered. Rules prohibit the sale of assigned lands and their registration.

As Atchampet is in the news, officials, media persons and others thronged the village on Friday. Toopran DSP Kiran deployed the police force in large numbers for smooth completion of inquiry.

Eatala Rajender accused of land grabbing, faces probe

 

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