Yacharam farmers boycott Gram Sabha, allege forcible land acquisition despite court stay

Farmers in Kurumidda village of Yacharam mandal boycotted a Gram Sabha and lodged a complaint against the RDO, alleging forcible land acquisition, disconnection of power supply to pump sets and continued land-levelling despite court-issued stay orders.

Mahabubnagar: Despite farmers opposing the acquisition of their lands and obtaining stay orders from the court, officials disconnected power supply to agricultural pump sets in Kurumidda village of Yacharam mandal in Rangareddy district.

Angered by the officials high-handedness, farmers boycotted the Grama Sabha scheduled in Kurumidda on Thursday. They also lodged a police complaint against the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).
The farmers have been protesting against the acquisition of their fertile lands for the proposed Pharma City, radial roads leading to Future City, and other development projects. They alleged that, besides assigned lands, officials were also attempting to take possession of privately owned patta lands.

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According to Pharma City Vyathireka Porata Samithi convenor Saraswathi Kavula, power supply to the pump sets of several farmers in Kurumidda has remained disconnected for the past three days. As a result, farmers are struggling to arrange water for their cattle amid the scorching summer heat, apart from being unable to carry out agricultural activities.
This apart, officials had deployed several earthmovers and other machinery to level agricultural lands in the village.

Saraswathi Kavula said the situation was not limited to Kurumidda, as farmers in Medipally village were also facing similar difficulties. On Wednesday, officials reportedly entered the village with earthmoving equipment and attempted to level agricultural lands.
Even after farmers and agricultural labourers pointed out that the court had issued stay orders, police and revenue officials continued the land-leveling work.

When farmers and labourers raised concerns over the lack of compensation and demanded rehabilitation measures, revenue officials failed to respond, she alleged.
“About 11 farmers and 30 agricultural labourers have filed a complaint against the RDO with the police. Farmers in Kurumidda, Medipally, Nanaknagar and Tadiparthy villages of Yacharam mandal are spending sleepless nights fearing forcible acquisition of their lands,” Saraswathi Kavula charged.