Telangana HC pauses tree felling near Hyderabad University until April 7 amid protests

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has halted all tree felling activities on the contested 400 acre of land near Hyderabad Central University until April 7.

On Thursday, the court heard arguments regarding a petition filed jointly by university students and a non-governmental organisation concerning the disputed property.

Following a request from the Advocate General, the court adjourned further hearings until April 7, explicitly ordering that no development work should take place on the land during this period.

After coming under fire, the Telangana government on Thursday announced constituting a Group of Ministers (GoM) to address the Kancha Gachibowli land issue and to find a way forward.

The GoM will consist of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, IT Minister D Sridhar Babu, and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

This group will hold consultations with the executive committee of Hyderabad Central University, as well as the Joint Action Committee (JAC), civil society organizations, students, and all stakeholders to seek a resolution to the Kancha Gachibowli land issue.

Students launch relay hunger strike

The Telangana government's controversial decision to auction these 400 acres has created significant tension across the university campus.

In response to growing protests, authorities have implemented extensive security measures around the university's main entrance.

The situation escalated on Thursday when police arrested several ABVP activists who were demonstrating on university campus. The students union of the central university also launched a relay hunger strike.

BRS vows to reclaim 400 Acres for Eco Park

BRS Working President KT Rama Rao announced that if his party returns to power, it will reclaim 400 acres of land belonging to Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in Kancha Gachibowli and transform it into a sprawling eco-park.

The move, he said, would serve as a gift to the students of HCU and the people of Hyderabad, while issuing a stern warning to those eyeing the land for real estate gains under the current Congress-led government.

KTR accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of treating the land as a commodity, cautioning potential buyers that anyone purchasing it in hopes of profiting from Reddy’s “biscuit-throwing tactics” would face severe losses once BRS regains control.

“We will take back every inch of that land and build an extraordinary eco-park, akin to Central Park in Manhattan, for the future of Hyderabad,” he declared.

No lathi charge

Meanwhile, police said that there was no lathi charge on students at HCU on Wednesday as reported in the media.

Madhapur DCP, Dr Vineeth G said that there was no lathi charge on students. “A few persons in the group of protesting students pushed away both men and women police personnel on duty and tried to snatch away the holding rope.

"Bare minimum force had to be used to get back the rope and to send away the persons who were trying to push the police person which is very clear from the videos that are available.

"It is requested that all stakeholders verify any news content that is being circulated before relying on the same so that peace and law and order is not disturbed,” said Dr Vineeth.