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Farmers protest against Pharma Village in Vikarabad
Farmers’ Protest Against Pharma Village in Vikarabad Foiled
In Vikarabad, Telangana, a significant protest by local farmers against the proposed Pharma Village was halted by police forces on Wednesday. The farmers, concerned about the environmental and economic impact of the Pharma Village, had been protesting for 27 consecutive days before their planned Maha Padayatra was thwarted.
Police Stop Maha Padayatra
The farmers, who had organized a Maha Padayatra (long march) from Polepally to the Dudyal Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) office, were stopped by police forces near Hakimpet. This region is where the Telangana government has proposed setting up the Pharma Village, a hub for pharmaceutical companies. Farmers are protesting because they fear the project will lead to severe environmental pollution and loss of agricultural land, which forms the backbone of their livelihoods.
The protest took place in the Kodangal Assembly constituency, which is represented by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, adding a political dimension to the farmers’ grievances.
Arrest of BRS Leaders and Protestors
The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party has thrown its support behind the farmers’ protest against Pharma Village. Prominent BRS leader Patnam Narender Reddy participated in the protest but was arrested, along with several other protestors and BRS cadres, as the police attempted to quash the demonstration.
Despite the arrests and the disruption of their march, farmers vowed to continue their protest against the Pharma Village project. They fear the proposed development will devastate their environment and harm the local agricultural industry.
Farmers’ Ongoing 27-Day Protest
For the past 27 days, farmers in Hakimpet have been protesting against the government’s plans to set up a Pharma Village in Vikarabad. Their main concern is the environmental damage the village could cause, as pharmaceutical manufacturing is often linked to pollution that could harm their farmlands, water sources, and air quality.
Police forces were deployed heavily at the Hakimpet crossroads to ensure the farmers’ march did not proceed. However, the protesters remain determined, demanding the government withdraw its plan to establish the Pharma Village in the region.
Resistance to Pharma Village in CM’s Constituency
The proposal to establish the Pharma Village in the Chief Minister’s constituency has been met with stiff resistance. Farmers argue that the land acquisition plan for the project threatens their livelihoods, as their farmlands provide their primary source of income. A woman farmer even threatened to take her life if her land was taken for the project, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The Telangana government has announced plans to acquire 1,274.25 acres of land for the Pharma Village. This includes both government and patta (privately owned) lands from the villages of Hakimpet, Polepalli, and Lakacharla in Dudyal Mandal. Farmers argue that this large-scale acquisition will leave them without any means to sustain their families.
Concerns Over Land Grabs and Political Pressure
Farmers have also voiced concerns about the involvement of the Chief Minister’s brother, Tirupathi Reddy, who they allege has been pressuring them to surrender their lands for the project. They believe that the Pharma Village project is part of a larger conspiracy to grab land worth lakhs of crores, ignoring the fact that these farmlands have been their sole source of livelihood for generations.
These farmers claim that the government’s actions represent an attempt to unjustly acquire land for corporate interests, disregarding the needs of the local agricultural community. As a result, they are demanding a complete withdrawal of the project.
History of Pharma Development Projects in Telangana
The controversy over the Pharma Village comes after the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government had proposed the Hyderabad Pharma City project in Yacharam Mandal, Rangareddy district. This earlier plan involved the acquisition of 14,000 acres of land for a pharma cluster, with an estimated investment of Rs 64,000 crore.
However, the Congress government, after coming to power, announced plans to establish smaller Pharma Villages instead. This change in policy has not been well-received by many, including BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao, who alleged that there was a large-scale land scam behind the decision to cancel the original Pharma City project.
Future of Farmers’ Protest
The farmers protest against Pharma Village in Vikarabad appears far from over. Despite their march being foiled and several arrests made, the farmers have vowed to continue their fight. They believe that the proposed development is a direct threat to their land and their way of life.
The farmers are hoping that through continued resistance and increased political pressure, they can force the government to reconsider its plans. For now, the struggle between Telangana’s farming community and the government’s push for industrialization continues.
Disclaimer:
This article provides information on the ongoing farmers’ protest against the proposed Pharma Village in Telangana’s Vikarabad district. The details of the protest and subsequent arrests are based on official reports and may be subject to updates as the situation evolves.
